The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) said it has completed the rehabilitation works on a road section of the Daang Maharlika which is expected to improve the delivery of goods and basic service in Nueva Ecija. Situated in San Leonardo town in the province, DPWH Region 3 Director Roseller Tolentino noted that the P94.53 million road rehabilitation along the Tabuating Section of Daang Maharlika involves the paving of 1.7 meter-wide road shoulders and the construction of a drainage system with stone masonry and parapet walls. Completed by the DPWH Nueva Ecija Second District Engineering Office (DEO) under District Engineer Elpidio Trinidad, the off-carriageway improvement with a total length of 1.21 kilometers and built using high density polyethylene pipes, is seen to drain water away from the roadway that will maintain its structural integrity. “The completed road upgrades now provide the traveling public with a safe and efficient highway system, which is seen to accelerate the delivery of goods and services in the province of Nueva Ecija,” the DPWH said. Aside from the Daang Maharlika upgrade, the DPWH has also built a slope protection structure along Quitangil Creek in Magalang, Pampanga to ensure the safety of residential and agricultural communities against threat of water overflow in times of heavy rains. Tolentino stated that the slope protection was completed in Quitangil Creek’s section that runs along Barangay Turu in Magalang town. He pointed out that the new slope protection with a total area 20,240 square meters with footing made of reinforced concrete reaching a depth of 1.50 meters has a total length of 2.75 kilometers. The slope protection will prevent the creek from overflowing while also providing stability and defense against erosion of the riverbank and scouring brought by rising river water or strong currents during excessive raining.