DAGUPAN CITY (PIA) – The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)-Pangasinan Second District Engineering Office completed two flood control projects in Pangasinan, aimed at strengthening the defense of flood risk communities in the province.
 
District Engineer Edita Manuel said that a 341-lineal meter riverbank protection structure was completed along Agno River Basin in Barangay Dorongan Valerio in Mangatarem town, which will serve as protection of residents and agricultural lands nearby against damages caused by flood.
 
“Mangatarem has the biggest land area in the province of Pangasinan. It has protected land areas that have natural hot springs, but barangays located along the Agno River are vulnerable to flooding, especially during heavy rains and typhoons,” Manuel said.
 
A total of P45 million has been allotted under the General Appropriations Act (GAA) of 2022 for the completion of the project.
 
Further, to ease perennial flooding in Dagupan City, the flood control riverbank protection project at Barangay Pantal was upgraded.
 
Manual said, “The 148.95 lineal meters of steel sheet pile with capping completed at the river mouth of Pantal river below the Pantal bridge, is designed for reinforcing flood defense walls, strengthening the defense against flood.”
 
The project has a total cost of P19,730,000, funded under GAA of 2020.
 
Meanwhile, the DPWH-Pangasinan Fourth District Engineering Office completed the farm to market road boosting local economy in Barangay Batangcaoa in Bayambang town.
 
District Engineer Simplicio Gonzales said the farm to market road involves the construction of a 644-meter paved road with a six meter wide, and a two-lane concrete cement pavement.
 
“The project is expected to help the farmers for a faster and cheaper means of transporting agricultural products to the business centers,” Gonzales said.
 
The project has a total project cost of P14,565,234.67. (JCR/AMB/PIA Pangasinan)