THE Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) – Bataan 1st District Engineering Office (DEO) has made substantial progress in enhancing flood protection along the Orani River in Barangay St. Joseph, Orani town, with the recent completion of a 390.5-meter flood control structure.
The P47.04-million project, funded under this year’s national budget, involves the construction of concrete slope protection with a steel sheet pile foundation to prevent soil erosion and riverbank scouring, thereby safeguarding the area from potential river overflow.
District Engineer Erlindo Flores Jr. highlighted that this initiative provides essential relief for residents who live along the river and are vulnerable to flooding, particularly during the rainy season.
“This project goes beyond infrastructure by focusing on building a resilient community capable of thriving despite natural challenges. We at the DPWH remain dedicated to implementing flood mitigation measures to ensure the safety of lives and property for the public,” Flores remarked.
Pepito Esteron, a local resident, shared his experiences of enduring years of hardship due to inundation caused by severe rains, which led to riverbank erosion affecting the area.
“Dati po noong hindi pa ginagawa ang dike (flood control), namomroblema kami rito kasi tuwing uulan, naaagnas ‘yung daan namin. Binabaha kami dito kaya ayon ang malaking problema naming mga residente na hanggang bewang na baha. Ngayon po, hindi na kami mangangamba dahil sa project na ito ng DPWH,” Esteron expressed.
The project strengthens local resilience against flooding and significantly improves residents’ quality of life by providing reliable flood control measures that reduce the risk of river overflow. (UnliNews Online)
Source: DPWH Bataan 1st DEO
