The construction of a cut-off channel has solved the perennial problem of flooding during heavy rainfall in Candaba, Pampanga, said the Department of Public Works and Highway (DPWH).
Secretary Mark Villar, citing a report from Undersecretary Emil Sadain who in-charge of the DPWH Unified Project Management Office (UPMO) Operations, said that the Candaba Cut-Off Channel with slope protection works on both banks will lessen the severity of flooding brought by overflow or swelling of Pampanga River.
“The cut-off channel will mitigate the dangers of flooding.”
“With the rising trend in yearly heavy rainfall because of climate change, the cut-off channel which is a flood control dike project of DPWH-UPMO Flood Control Management Cluster will mitigate the dangers of flooding,” Villar added.
The construction of Candaba Cut-Off Channel consists of 738-meter left dike, 637-meter right dike and 130-meter slope protection at Candaba Bridge effectively diverted the flow of Pampanga River and mitigated the impending floods brought by southwest monsoon enhanced by Typhoon Fabian.
It was observed during an inspection recently by Sadain together with UPMO-FCMC Project Director Ramon Arriola III and Project Manager Isabelita Manalo.
“Each time the Pampanga River swells, it spells doom for the people who experience flooding, damage of property, farmlands and farm produce.”
“Each time the Pampanga River swells, it spells doom for the people who experience flooding, damage of property, farmlands and farm produce,” he said.
A 180-linear meter Candaba Bridge along Candaba-Sta Ana Road was also constructed across the cut-off channel.
The four-lane bridge was built on a higher elevation to complement the floodwater carrying capacity of the cut-off channel during the rainy season.
