The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has recently completed the construction of two (2) flood control structures along the Peñaranda River to protect nearby communities in the towns of General Tinio and San Leonardo in Nueva Ecija.
DPWH identified Barangay Rio Chico in General Tinio and Barangay San Roque in San Leonardo as the recipient communities of the newly-built structures with a total length of 237.6 lineal meters.
In his report to DPWH Secretary Manuel M. Bonoan, DPWH Regional Office 3 (DPWH-RO3) Director Roseller A. Tolentino highlighted the importance of providing General Tinio and San Leonardo with revetment along their sections of Peñaranda River as both the towns rely on farming rice, corn, and other vegetable produce.
The flood control structures are expected to reduce the threat of flooding in low-lying areas caused by the tendency of the river to overflow especially as the typhoon season has already begun.
According to Director Tolentino, the security brought by the structures greatly benefits local farmers by preventing low yield of crops due to soil erosion caused by surplus of water from the river, while at the same time ensuring safety of residents from adverse effects of flooding.
The project was implemented by DPWH Nueva Ecija 2nd District Engineering Office (DEO) and was completed months ahead of completion dates for the General Tinio flood control structure and the San Leonardo flood control structure.
The construction of the flood control structures amounted to P38.8 million with funding sourced from the General Appropriations Act (GAA) of 2022.