The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has started river desilting or dredging in the town of Bongabon, Nueva Ecija in order to mitigate flooding brought by the overflow of Digmala River during rainy season.
Following instruction from DPWH Region III Director Roseller A. Tolentino, District Engineer Ricardo M. Puno of DPWH Nueva Ecija Second District Engineering Office (DEO) said assistance from DPWH Bureau of Equipment was requested for immediate deployment of equipment and operators since Digmala River is now heavily silted.
“We need additional equipment as we aim to desilt at least 4.4 kilometers of the 10-kilometer stretch of Digmala River,” said DE Puno.
Engineer Puno said desilting activities are being undertaken to prevent recurrence of river overflow that causes flooding in low-lying areas in the town of Bongabon and its surrounding areas.
“With the help of DPWH Bureau of Equipment, we can also create a natural dam or dike with three (3) meters in depth and 20-meter in width that can temporarily hold the flood water and give ample time to the flood waters to subside,” added DE Puno.
Silt deposits washed down from the mountainous sections of Aurora and Nueva Ecija to Digmala River led to decrease in water depth, thereby increasing the risk of overflow and flooding.
When completed, the desilting of Digmala River will protect the low-lying villages not just of Bongabon, but also other flood-prone areas near Pampanga River. The Digmala River is one of the allied rivers and tributaries of the 260-kilometer Pampanga River that traverses the provinces of Nueva Ecija, Bulacan and Pampanga.