Residents along Minulu-an River are now better protected against flooding with the completion of a new flood protection structure by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in Talisay City, Negros Occidental.
Constructed by DPWH Negros Occidental 1st District Engineering Office in the amount of P34.2 million, the 743-lineal meter stone masonry structure on both sides of the bank will protect adjacent properties along the river and ensure better management of water flow at the channel.
“The completion of the flood control structure will mitigate the impact of flood water from rushing towards houses and agricultural areas.”
DPWH Region 6 Director Nerie Bueno explained that Minuluan River serves as a major water channel from the Talisay-Silay Basin which poses more danger as flooding frequently occurs in the area. Hence, the completion of the flood control structure will mitigate the impact of flood water from rushing towards houses and agricultural areas.
Other than protecting lives and properties, the project will also mitigate damage to physical infrastructure and help ensure the continuation of economic activities since Minulu-an River runs along the ongoing Bacolod Negros Occidental Economic Highway (BANOCEH) Project.
“The sudden rise of water level during heavy rain causes danger to nearby communities.”
“While Minulu-an River contributes much to agricultural and economic activities of the locality, the sudden rise of water level during heavy rain causes danger to nearby communities, as observed in previous incidents where flooding affected hundreds of families in the area,” Bueno explained.
“With the new flood control structure, we hope that what happened in the past will no longer be experienced,” Bueno concluded.
