NAGA CITY, Philippines — Aside from assuring the Naga City government of his support for the completion of major infrastructure projects, DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon also vowed to continuously implement the national government’s Oplan Kontra Baha in the city.
On March 17, Dizon, along with Naga Mayor Leni Robredo, inspected the 500-meter MT Villanueva Avenue (formerly Liboton Street), where the city government plans to make the area pedestrian-friendly.
This will be done by improving mobility and safety, especially for students whose schools are located along the avenue, through the expansion of sidewalks, installation of bike lanes, and planting of trees on both sides of the road to provide shade for passers-by. No vehicle will be allowed to park along any portion of the stretch once the project is completed.
Robredo, however, said that a public consultation will first be conducted before finalizing the design.
Ken Abante of Safe and Sound Cities Naga said that Neil Bartolome, a colleague, was tasked to undertake social preparations and tactical urbanism efforts. This means that the project’s trial phase will be led by young individuals, who will also take the lead in conducting public consultations and other social preparations. Bartolome’s group is involved in the Naga City Tactical Urbanism Project.
Safe and Sound Cities–Naga, in collaboration with the LGU-Naga (PSO, CEPPIO, CEO, CENRO, CPDO, and the Urban Mobility Council), the Naga City People’s Council (NCPC), the Naga City Art and Culture Coalition (NCACC), and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), joined the field survey along MT Villanueva Avenue in Liboton (Magsaysay Extension).
The inspection aimed to identify key areas that can be improved to enhance the commuting experience of both commuters and drivers along MT Villanueva.
The project is expected to begin next week.
The mayor and the DPWH secretary were accompanied by a team of engineers and personnel from the DPWH Regional Office and the 3rd District Engineering Office in Camarines Sur.
Mayor Robredo also said they visited the Bicol River Esplanade project in Barangay Mabolo to check on the ongoing desilting operations in flood-prone areas. The desilting is being supervised by DPWH personnel as part of the implementation of the national government’s Oplan Kontra Baha. These efforts focus on areas where floodwaters are unable to pass during heavy rains.
The third stop of Secretary Dizon’s team was Julian Meliton Elementary School in Barangay Concepcion Pequeña, which experiences severe flooding during heavy rains due to a defective drainage system clogged with garbage and hardened mud.
Stagnant floodwaters were also observed in nearby waterways due to improper waste disposal.
Dizon and the inspection team were also briefed on ongoing clearing and declogging operations behind two large commercial establishments in one of the city’s business districts.
Flooding in the area has been attributed to the improper dumping of waste into natural waterways during the construction of the malls.
The team also inspected portions of the Naga River and Sagop Creek, which are currently being cleared of garbage and other obstructions.
It may be recalled that Oplan Kontra Baha was launched in Naga City in February 2026, with President Marcos Jr. leading the initiative. I via Jason Neola
