BY LEANDER C. DOMINGO
BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya (August 31, 2024)—The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has poured P209.7 million into constructing three flood control structures in the province of Nueva Vizcaya to reduce massive flooding in communities and extensive damage to crops, cropping land and properties along the Magat River.
With a total length of 226 kilometers, the Magat River is in Northern Luzon, which originates in Aritao town, where the Santa Fe River joins the Marang River. It is the largest tributary of the Cagayan River by discharge volume of water, with an estimated drainage area of 5,200 square kilometers, roughly 20 percent of the total drainage area of the Cagayan River.
These flood control structures are being implemented along the Santa Fe River in Barangay Bone North in Aritao town with P94 million funding; the P67.8-million flood control and drainage structures at Kinacao Section of Magat River in Bagabag town; and the P47.9-million Nalubbunan Flood Control Project in Quezon town.
According to the DPWH in Region 2 (Cagayan Valley), these projects along the Magat River will “ensure the safety and security of villagers and their properties during heavy downpours, particularly those brought by strong typhoons.”
Agnes Lu, DPWH 2nd District Engineering Office officer in charge, said the P94-million project in Aritao is the construction of a 1,660-linear-meter rubble concrete revetment structure with gabion mattress footing protection to safeguard residential areas and rice fields from flooding.
She said this flood control project along the Santa Fe River, which is one of the tributaries of the Magat River, already posted an accomplishment of 74.44 percent and is expected to be completed by October this year.
“This flood control structure will play a vital role in improving public safety by protecting the lives, properties and source of income for about 2,609 individuals,” Lu said.
She added that the project will also “foster disaster-resiliency to the community and mitigate the damaging effects of floodings to public infrastructures.”
Marifel Andes, DPWH 1st District Engineering Office chief, said the flood control and drainage structures in Bagabag town involve the provision of 320 linear meters of slope protection work using steel sheet piles and gabion spur dikes.
On the other hand, the Nalubbunan Flood Control Project involves the construction of a 504-linear-meter rubble concrete revetment with anchorage, embankment, mattresses, gabions and a series of spur dikes.
Funded through the 2023 DPWH’s Regular Infrastructure Program, Andes said these newly completed flood control projects are “designed to mitigate flood risks that threaten the rice, corn and vegetable farming of villagers nearby.”