Five (5) flood mitigation projects are being undertaken by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in Pilar, Bataan.
DPWH Bataan 2nd Assistant District Engineer (ADE) Ma. Janet Nero said that three (3) of the five (5) projects are directly handled by their office while the remaining two (2) are under a Memorandum of Agreement with the Local Government but remains under the DPWH supervision.
The national government has allotted P55-million from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) budget for the rehabilitation and construction of the dike and slope protections in Pilar, Bataan.
These projects consist of the construction of slope protection in Brgy. Diwa costing P13,548,481.78, the P14,553,102.26 rechanneling of Talisay River, and the construction of the P14,242,958.97 dike in Panilao.
Construction of the slope protection in Brgy. Diwa and the rechanneling of Talisay River that started January 8 have been both completed while the completion date of the Panilao dike construction will be determined once activities resumed.
Moreover, Bataan 2nd DEO is currently supervising the rip rapping works along Tabon ng Bayan, Sitio Gasili Wakas South and the rehabilitation of Masuaje River control at the JJ Lino section of Ala-uli which are implemented by the municipality of Pilar.
Hundreds of residents of the flood-prone barangays in Pilar namely Nagwaling, Panilao, Ala-uli and sections of Poblacion and Del Rosario are expected to benefit from these projects.
“These projects here in Pilar are DPWH’s compliance to the flood management under the convergence program of the national government. These will ensure the safety of the residents in the flood-prone areas and their livelihood when rainy season sets in,” said Nero.
Other construction projects under the convergence program are tourism infrastructure consisting of road networks leading to tourist destinations in coordination with the Department of Tourism; construction of farm to market roads with the Department of Agriculture and Department of Agrarian Reform; construction and rehabilitation of roads leading to seaports and airports in partnership with the Department of Transportation and Communication; and the infrastructure projects under the Public and Private Partnership program.