The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) targets to reduce the damage brought by perennial flooding in southern Pampanga through the implementation of the Integrated Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation (IDRR-CCA) Measures in Low Lying Areas of Pampanga Bay Project.
A total of eight (8) deteriorated Sluice Gates are set to be repaired and replaced near the right bank of the Pampanga River to regulate the stream of water and prevent the backflow of the rivers.
Dredging and embankment works will also be conducted at the river channel network in the Third River, including Eastern Branch River, Caduang Tete River, and Sapang Maragul River to improve their drainage capacities and to minimize the occurrence of flood in the areas around the rivers.
The flood-control project, which is being undertaken by the DPWH Unified Project Management Office-Flood Control and Management Cluster (UPMO-FCMC) commenced its 17-month detailed engineering and pre-construction stage last March 2016.
When completed, the project will benefit the Kapampangans residing at the municipalities of Macabebe, Masantol, Minalin, and Sto. Tomas. These towns considered flood-prone areas are frequented by calamities due to its low-lying location at the vicinity of the Pampanga Bay.
The government is optimistic that if the problem on perennial flooding will be addressed, numbers of casualties and damage on properties will be minimized in the area and regional economic growth is seen to prosper.