BALANGA CITY (PIA) — The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has completed a P47.04-million flood control project in Orani, Bataan.
The project involved the construction of a 390.5-meter flood control structure along the Barangay St. Joseph section of the Orani River.
DPWH Bataan 1st District Engineer Erlindo Flores Jr. emphasized that the structure provides critical protection for residents living along the river, who are vulnerable to flooding, particularly during the rainy season.
“This project is not just about infrastructure; it’s about building a resilient community that can thrive despite natural challenges. We at the DPWH remain committed to implementing flood mitigation measures to ensure the safety of lives and property,” Flores stated.
The construction included concrete slope protection with a steel sheet pile foundation to prevent soil erosion and riverbank scouring, safeguarding the area from potential river overflow.
Pepito Esteron, a local resident, recounted years of hardship due to frequent flooding and riverbank erosion.
“Dati po noong hindi pa ginagawa ang dike, 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 (Before the dike was constructed, we used to have problems here because every time it rained, our road would erode. We would get flooded, and that was a major issue for us residents, with the floodwaters reaching waist-high levels. Now, we no longer have to worry because of this DPWH project),” Esteron shared.
Funded under the 2024 General Appropriations Act, the project aims to enhance local resilience against flooding, significantly improving the quality of life for residents by providing reliable flood control measures. (CLJD/RPQ, PIA Region 3-Bataan)
