CABANATUAN CITY (PIA) — Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) currently builds a small water impoundment and rehabilitates a natural pond in Cuyapo, Nueva Ecija.
Upon completion, it will provide residents of barangay Bambanaba improved access to water sources and less vulnerability to flooding.
Nueva Ecija 1st District Engineer Armando Manabat said the P9.8-million Small Water Impounding Project is a concrete structure under construction in Sitio Tabon.
“With an accomplishment rate of 93.7 percent, the water reservoir is being constructed not far from a pond located at the foot of a high terrain. Once completed, this structure will efficiently store rainfall and run-off during the rainy season, thus preventing water overflow into nearby residential and agricultural communities,” he explained.
DPWH is also excavating the shallow and uneven sections of the natural pond to deepen it by 2 to 2.4 meters.
As of September 15, the project with a planned physical target of 42,436 cubic meters of soil excavation is 90% complete.
Aside from managing flood risks, it will also be beneficial to the agricultural sector as it is expected to provide ample water supply to irrigate farmlands not only in Bambanaba but in neighboring villages as well.
Bambanaba OIC-Punong Barangay Rodrigo Casiera emphasized that the natural pond serves as a water retention basin and by deepening its beds, the storage capacity increases so it can accumulate more water run-off that comes from high places.
Residents often get the water they use for their daily activities in the reservoir, while farmers also benefit from this water source especially during dry season mainly for irrigating their crops.
“Marami pong magsasaka ang makikinabang sa maiipon na tubig. Kahit hindi po kami kumuha ng tubig sa irigasyon at diyan lang kami kukuha ay mabubuhay po kami. More than 100 farmers po ang makikinabang,” Casiera shared.
He added that the project will not only benefit farmers but also those who earn a living from fishing.
Both projects are expected to be completed before the end of the year. (CLJD-PIA 3)
