CABANATUAN CITY (PIA) — The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has completed three flood control projects worth P178.8 million along the Pampanga River in the towns of San Isidro and Jaen, Nueva Ecija, strengthening riverbanks and reducing the risk of overflow during heavy rains.
DPWH Nueva Ecija 2nd District Engineer Robert Jay Panaligan said San Isidro, with its vast rice, corn, and vegetable farms, will benefit from two newly completed protective structures: a 112-linear-meter slope protection in Barangay Calaba and a 159.60-linear-meter protective structure in Barangay Alua (Phase 2), with a combined cost of P82.8 million.
“These are vital interventions that help prevent riverbank erosion and localized flooding, while also supporting agricultural productivity and protecting nearby properties during seasonal rains,” Panaligan said.
OIC–Assistant District Engineer Leonora Cruz also reported the completion of a P96-million, 331.21-linear-meter riverbank protection project in Barangay San Pablo, Jaen.
The project rehabilitated existing river walls using concrete slope protection and steel sheet piles as foundation.
“This structure strengthens the embankment and helps reduce the risk of river overflow during heavy rains, as it connects with existing flood protection works to provide added coverage for nearby residents and farmland,” Cruz said.
She added that the projects were funded under the 2025 national budget through the agency’s flood control program, reinforcing efforts to safeguard vulnerable communities along the Pampanga River.
These accomplishments align with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s call for transparency and citizen participation in monitoring infrastructure projects, particularly flood control initiatives.
In a press conference, the President highlighted that Central Luzon is one of the regions with the highest number of flood-control projects, totaling 1,617 and amounting to P98.01 billion.
Pampanga, Tarlac, Bulacan, and Nueva Ecija are among the top 10 flood-prone provinces in the country.
“Tapos, Region 3, well, they’re flood prone. But tingnan natin why as opposed to other places that have known – that are also flood prone,” Marcos said.
He also introduced sumbongsapangulo.ph
“We need everyone involved. Because, I don’t know, 80 million, 90 million pairs of eyes are better than all the eyes in the entirety of government. So, again, let me stress that it is exceedingly important that people get involved,” Marcos said.
The DPWH assured the public that it will continue implementing high-impact flood control measures in Central Luzon to protect vulnerable communities and support the Marcos administration’s infrastructure priorities. (CLJD/RPQ, PIA Region 3-Nueva Ecija)
