The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has completed the fifth phase of a flood control project along the Labong River in the Municipality of Licab, Nueva Ecija that aims to protect farmland and residential areas from perennial flooding.
DPWH Regional Office 3 Director Roseller A. Tolentino reported to DPWH Secretary Manuel M. Bonoan and Undersecretary for Operations in Central Luzon Roberto R. Bernardo that the DPWH Nueva Ecija First District Engineering Office (DEO) constructed the P96.5-million, 514-lineal-meter flood mitigation structure in Labong River’s section in Barangay Villarosa.
According to Director Tolentino, this part of the town of Licab is considered a catch basin making the area susceptible to inundation in the previous years.
Based on DPWH Nueva Ecija First DEO’s Engineering Survey and Investigation Unit, flood levels originating from Labong River’s riverbed can rise up to 5.5 meters and affect nearby communities during the rainy season.
The Barangay Villarosa Flood Control Structure is a component of a multi-year program to construct bank protection walls along Labong River. Since it started in 2016, a total of P416 million has already been allocated in the construction of 3.33 linear kilometers of protective structures.
Meanwhile, the sixth and last phase of the project which includes the construction of a flood control structure with a total length of 462 lineal meters has already began implementation in February 2023 and is now underway.