CITY OF SAN FERNANDO - The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is set to build rainwater collectors systems (RWCs) in Central Luzon.

The agency is allocating some P44.84-million for the construction of the infrastructure in the region.

The RWCs’ function is to collect and store rainwater during wet season, and its stock will be utilized during dry or El Ñino season.

It is expected to aid the country in addressing the challenges on water supply and flooding.

DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan said it is high time to provide RWCs in public facilities to help mitigate the impact of climate threats.

“The rainy season and the threat of El Niño increase the demand to build disaster-resilient infrastructure that will be beneficial in harvesting rainwater intended for agriculture, commercial, and domestic use,” he said.

Bonoan said he tasked the Regional and District Engineering Offices to secure the list of proposed beneficiaries of RWC.

“Using the list of proposed beneficiaries, we will be able to determine the total serving population that will be benefited by the project and reduces the daily burden of people in areas with physical water scarcity,” Bonoan said.

The RWCs that will be built in Central are part of the nationwide program of DPWH under its DPWH's INFRAgenda 2028.

The department has allocated some P582.9-million for the construction of RWCs throughout the country this year.

From the total funding, the region highest allocations include Calabarzon, Bicol, and Western Visayas with P47.64-million each.

It was followed by Central Luzon and Central Visayas with P44.84-million each; and P42.04-million for Eastern Visayas.

The budget for the remaining regions ranges from P25.22-million to P39.23-million each.