BALANGA CITY, BATAAN — The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has completed a P47.04-million, 390.5-meter flood control structure along the Orani River, covering the area of Barangay St. Joseph in Orani town.
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.
DPWH Bataan 1st District Engineer Erlindo Flores Jr. said that the structure provides 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,” Flores stated.
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 ang malaking problema naming mga residente na hanggang bewang na baha.”
(Before the dike was constructed, every time it rained our road would get eroded. We would also get flooded, and that was a major issue for us residents, with the floodwaters reaching waist-high levels.)
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. ( PIA Region 3-Bataan)
