Department of Public Works Secretary Ray N. Yumul talks about the Achugao stormwater drainage project on Friday at his office in San Jose.
THE Department of Public Works will soon begin the construction of a stormwater drainage on Middle Road in Achugao, a village between Lower Base and Tanapag.
In an interview on Friday, DPW Secretary Ray N. Yumul said the efforts to address a long-standing flooding problem in the area finally came to fruition that day when he signed the notice to proceed.
Funded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Overflow Stormwater Grant Program, the Achugao stormwater drainage construction project will cost $194,490.
Yumul said it took a while to move the project because a lot of work had to be done in terms of seeking grant funding.
He said in Achugao, the northbound lanes of Middle Road become impassable due to runoff every time it rains.
This affects members of the community, especially motorists, Yumul said, adding that the road also leads to tourist sites in northern Saipan.
He said the project will help alleviate a long-standing flooding problem that has hindered residents’ mobility.
“So we are very happy that it has finally come to this point and I’m very thankful to the community for their patience,” Yumul said.
He said ITS Corporation, a contractor that met all the requirements, was selected through a bidding process, and a construction contract is now being drawn.
In 2023, Sen. Celina R. Babauta and Rep. Joel Camacho brought the matter to Yumul’s attention and followed up amid “challenges with budget issues.”
Fortunately, in the same year, Yumul said DPW was awarded a total of $1.6 million in stormwater construction grants by EPA.
Immediately, he said, DPW began in-house design work for the project with assistance from the EPA based on existing watershed improvement studies and through a nonprofit-based partnership. The design was completed last year.
Yumul said the stormwater construction also includes a project to address flooding in Tanapag’s low-lying areas.
“Although climate change has largely challenged these areas with increased water levels, the proposed project would open and drill obstructed culverts leading to wetlands,” Yumul said. “Through the development of ‘green’ infrastructure, DPW intends to promote greenery spaces to act as vegetated filtration alongside the affected area. This improvement would [filter] surface water prior to its entry into the Saipan lagoon.”