By Nimfa L. Estrellado-Laurino Mayor Lord Arnel L. “L.A.” Ruanto, DPWH Bureau of Equipment Director Toribio Noel Ilao and Vice Mayor Man...
By Nimfa L. Estrellado-Laurino
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| Mayor Lord Arnel L. “L.A.” Ruanto, DPWH Bureau of Equipment Director Toribio Noel Ilao and Vice Mayor Mannie A. America display documents following the signing of the Agos and Bantilan River Dredging Project agreement in Infanta. (Infanta LGU) |
INFANTA, Quezon - Long-delayed flood defenses moved closer to implementation after Infanta and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) formalized the Agos and Bantilan River Dredging Project. Their memorandum of understanding covers river dredging, waterway restoration and engineering measures intended to improve the movement of floodwater across the low-lying municipality.
In Barangay Pinaglapatan, engineers are studying an approximately 80-meter-wide channel that would connect the Bantilan and Agos rivers through a carefully designed curved alignment. The proposed route would follow the natural movement of water rather than force the rivers through a straight artificial passage that may increase erosion and sediment buildup.
The proposed connection forms part of a wider program covering Infanta’s rivers, creeks, drainage routes, coastal outlets and natural catchment areas. DPWH and municipal engineers are examining the waterways as one interconnected system to prevent flood-control work in one area from simply transferring excess water to another community or neighboring municipality.
Mayor Lord Arnel L. “L.A.” Ruanto traced the initiative to a community cleanup that exposed heavy sedimentation along the Bantilan River and demonstrated the limits of isolated dredging operations. He subsequently sought a broader plan that would identify the original routes of floodwater and reconnect smaller waterways with their natural drainage outlets.
“Nature made a blueprint, at ginawa na iyan ng kalikasan dahil dadaanan at dadaanan iyan ng tubig. Maaaring hindi ngayon, pero once tumaas ang tubig, iyon pa rin ang kanyang dating daan at doon pa rin siya papasok,” Ruanto said.
The mayor said the flood-management plan should extend beyond the terms of the officials and engineers currently overseeing the undertaking. Making the plan publicly accessible, he said, would allow residents and other stakeholders to monitor progress, identify unfinished components and support those still requiring implementation or funding.
“A plan is a commitment, and it is a promise that should guide everyone involved in this undertaking. It must be published, shared and seen by the public so we can be reminded and other stakeholders can come in to help us,” Ruanto said.
Heavy equipment from the DPWH Bureau of Equipment has arrived for the planned dredging and widening operations along the Bantilan River. An amphibious excavator was identified for deployment after personnel from the bureau, regional office and district engineering office inspected the proposed work areas ahead of mobilization.
Planning also extends to Cuago Creek and Balucanag Creek, which run near the national highway before joining the Bantilan River system. Older cadastral records and field inspections are being used to identify original waterway boundaries and areas narrowed by sedimentation, vegetation, permanent structures and other obstructions that may require clearing or removal.
DPWH Bureau of Equipment Director Toribio Noel Ilao said floodwater must be managed along its entire route because its movement does not stop at barangay, municipal or provincial boundaries. Restoring former channels, he said, would provide additional space for water before it reaches Infanta’s principal rivers and coastal drainage outlets.
“Water knows no boundary, and if it overflows from one barangay, it can overflow from one municipality to another. Kaya kailangan nating hanapin ang dating daanan at dating daluyan ng tubig, at kapag nabuhay natin iyon, mas marami tayong makakargang tubig bago ito muling umapaw,” Ilao said.
DPWH engineers are studying river curves, sediment movement and water velocity before determining where excavation, bank reinforcement and protective structures should be placed. Possible interventions include gabions, training dikes, groins and geotextile materials, depending on conditions along the riverbanks and shoreline.
“We do not undertake straight-line rechanneling without considering the natural configuration and behavior of the river. Ang hinahabol namin ay somewhat meandering, at sinusundan namin kung ano ang original configuration ng ilog,” Ilao said.
The agreement requires the municipal government to strengthen solid-waste management so restored waterways do not become obstructed again after dredging operations. Early-warning systems, evacuation planning and public education are also included in the broader flood-management approach for rainfall that exceeds the capacity of engineered structures.
The undertaking may require at least one year because of the surveys, dredging, channel restoration and engineering work planned across several waterways. Municipal and DPWH officials have not yet disclosed the total project cost, funding breakdown, excavation volume, construction start date or detailed implementation schedule.
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