Posted on May 2, 2016
By Frederick Silverio, The Manila Times
IN a bid to address the perennial flood problem in the province, the Bulacan provincial government and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) have started the massive dredging of major rivers and waterways in Bulacan.
With government engineers and technicians on board, an imposing dredger is now clawing deep at the mouth of the Labangan Channel.
Gov. Wilhelmino M. Sy-Alvarado together with Hagonoy Mayor Raulito “Amboy” Manlapaz and DPWH officials led by Engr. Antonio Molano, DPWH-3 regional director; Engr. Microin S. De Torres, officer-in-charge Dredge master; Engr. Danilo S. Danganan, and DPWH-First District Engr. Ruel Angeles, made an ocular inspection of the dredging operations that will excavate dirt and debris at the heavily silted mouth of the Labangan channel in the coastline of Hagonoy, Bulacan.
Residents of flood prone Hagonoy and Calumpit and adjacent areas expressed elation for the dredging operations at the mouth of Labangan channel which will complement the upgrading of the channel systems along the Macarthur Highway in Calumpit town.
Alvarado said that works at the seven bridges and canals of the Labangan channel along the highway is now being completed.
“We really have to dredge our heavily silted river system. The siltation at the Labangan channel for instance has decreased its water holding capacity from the original seven meters to only two meters for so many years,’ the governor explained.
He said that as per instruction of the President, the DPWH-dredger will also help de-clog other major river system in Bulacan and parts of Pampanga.
During the recent visit of President Aquino at the launching of the rehabilitation of Bustos Dam, Alvarado asked the president to revive the mothballed Pampanga River Control System, whose primary function is to dredge major river systems in Bulacan and Pampanga.
DPWH-3 regional director Molano said that DPWH Secretary Rogelio Singson has approved the release of P1,347,450 to cover expenses for the procurement of dredge accessories, spare parts and supplies for the maintenance of Dredge-PDDP IV which is presently stationed at the shoreline of the coastal area of Bulacan.
Molano said that at least 75, 000 cubic meters of silt materials will be removed at the Labangan flood control channel. Another smaller dredger that can penetrate smaller waterways will augment the dredging operations.
“The government is now actively employing ways to address the effects of climate change and global warming through sound infrastructure programs, including the dredging of heavily silted rivers and waterways,” the governor added.
http://www.manilatimes.net/bulacan-intensifies-rivers-dredging/259250/
