BONGABON, Nueva Ecija — The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) will start the de-silting of Digmala River here to help address the perennial flooding problem in low-lying parts of this province, as well as neighboring areas of Pampanga and Bulacan.
District Engineer Ricardo Puno said the move is in compliance with the directive of DPWH Regional Director Roseller A. Tolentino, who made rounds of the provinces in the region to assess the effects of flooding brought about by the weather disturbances last month.
Digmala River is one of the allied rivers and tributaries of the 260-kilometer Pampanga River that traverses the provinces of Nueva Ecija, Bulacan and Pampanga.
“One of the main reasons for flooding here in the third district of Nueva Ecija is the accumulation of silt in riverbeds of our major rivers and tributaries. The Digmala River that passes through several onion-producing barangays in this town overflows during the monsoon season inundating the low-lying villages. This also contributes a great part in the flooding experienced by our nearby provinces,” Puno said.
He said he had directed the Nueva Ecija Area Equipment Section with the Bureau of Equipment to pursue the de-silting of the Digmala River, and if possible build a natural dam or dike with a three-meter depth and 20-meter width, which will temporarily hold the flood water and give ample time to the flood waters in Pampanga and Bulacan to subside.
Engr. Edwin L. Lopez of the Nueva Ecija Area Equipment Section said on Wednesday they will start to de-silt at least 4,400 meters and one-meter depth of the 10-kilometer stretch of Digmala River which is part of the Upper Main Pampanga River.
“Increased silt deposits have already led to a decrease in water depth of the watercourse thereby increasing the risk of flooding. With this project, we are keen to increasing the depth of this vital waterway and restore it to its original depth that will greatly reduce the risk of flooding in the area,” Lopez said. (Marilyn Galang/PNA)
