SLOPE PROTECTION STRUCTURES. An aerial view of the slope protection structures built by the Department of Public Works and Highways in Porac town, Pampanga province. These structures will protect residents of low-lying communities from raging floods. (Photo courtesy of DPWH Region III)
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga – The Department of Public Works and Highways-Central Luzon (DPWH-3) reported on Thursday the completion of two flood control structures along the Porac River which could protect the low-lying communities in Porac town, this province from raging floods.
The flood mitigation projects funded under the General Appropriations Act (GAA) of 2022 were the slope protection in the sections of Jalung and Pio amounting to PHP48.84 million and PHP19.77 million, respectively.
DPWH Regional Office 3 Director Roseller Tolentino said the newly built protective structures ensure the safety and protection of lives and properties in the flood-prone areas of Porac by preventing river waters from flooding communities and eroding riverbank soil.
Likewise, Tolentino said local farmers will benefit from the flood control structure as it secures agricultural fields during typhoons and heavy rains.
The Jalung Section slope protection is a 482-lineal meter concrete river wall with a steel sheet pile foundation to prevent the scouring of an existing earth dike nearby.
“The river wall now ensures the safety of residents from the threat of flooding that may affect their livelihoods and properties during times of torrential rains,” Tolentino said in a statement.
On the other hand, the new 188-lineal meter concrete revetment in Barangay Pio was built close to the completed river wall in Barangay Jalung to augment the existing flood control structures in safeguarding flood-prone areas near the river.
With the completion of the slope protection, residents near the Porac River and neighboring areas thanked the DPWH, saying they are now protected from raging floodwater during heavy rains.
“Ito ay malaking tulong para sa aming mga residente ng Porac dahil hindi na kami mangangamba pagsapit ng tag-ulan. Hindi na maalinlangan sa rumagasang baha at masira ang mga palayan at kabahayan (This is a big help for us, residents of Porac, because we will no longer worry during rainy season. We will no longer worry on the raging floods that might destroy our ricefields and houses),” said Eric San Juan, a resident and farmer in Barangay Pio. (PNA)
