BAGUIO CITY (PIA) – Farmers are thankful for the flood mitigation structure constructed by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) along the Balili River in Tabangaoen, La Trinidad, Benguet.
Eric Erlano, a farm worker for almost 20 years in the area, said the farms usually get flooded every time the water from the river swells especially during the tropical cyclone season, or continuous rain. This often caused significant damage to their crops such as strawberries and lettuce.
With the construction of the flood mitigation structure, Erlano said their crops are now protected from flooding.
“Malaking tulong … kami po ay laging naghihirap dito, laging nafla-flood ito nung wala pang kabite, wala kaming kinikita, back to zero kaya malaking tulong talaga itong flood control na ginawa ng DPWH,” Erlano shared.
Farm worker Demerson Kisse also expressed that the structure is a big help not only in protecting their crops but the structures around as well.
“[Nakatulong], say eg [unkayang] e shanum nem man-uran. Salamat [DPWH],” Kisse expressed.
[The structure has helped in mitigating floods especially during the rainy season. Thank you, DPWH.]
The project included the construction of a 712-meter revetment wall, a 266-meter stone masonry structure, and a 54-meter rubble concrete gravity wall. With a funding of P86.6 million under the 2024 General Appropriations Act, the project commenced in February 2024 and completed in November last year.
Engr. Marjory Banao, public information officer of the DPWH Benguet 1st District Engineering Office, said the project aims to protect not just the agricultural areas but also the communities around and part of the Benguet State University from flooding.
“Sa part ng farmers, kahit may bagyong dumating, at least, hindi sila kinakabahan na baka [mabaha] ‘yung mga farm nila, ‘yung mga crops nila kasi it is protected by the revetment wall. At the same time, ‘yung mga residents nearby, hindi sila kinakabahan na baka [mabaha] ‘yung bahay nila. Protection din sa [bahagi] ng university kasi part ng playground nila tabi ng river mismo,” Banao shared. (JDP/DEG-PIA CAR)
