Pampanga flood control project underway

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) will implement a flood control project in Pampanga next year.

The agency recently completed a master plan for the Pampanga River Basin, DPWH Secretary Rogelio Singson said during the Manila Declaration and Water Alliance Launch in Makati City yesterday.

“The plan is to use the natural plains in Nueva Ecija and Candaba Swamp so you can impound the water to avoid flooding,” Singson said.

“Impounding the water upstream is what integrated water resources management is all about. The water impounded upstream could serve farmers and be a good supply of water and at the same time ease flooding,” he added.

He did not give details, saying there is still no project cost and the agency is still drafting the engineering design.

Singson said the project would help mitigate the effect of El Niño.

The flood control project was among the priority programs of the DPWH in 2012, but it was not among the approved projects by the National Economic Development Authority.

Singson said the project would help mitigate the effect of El Niño.

The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration had said El Niño is expected to last until the first half of 2016.