Manila, May 19 -- The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) on Monday said it has prepositioned its heavy equipment to hasten the dredging and desilting of creeks in Ilocos Norte in anticipation of heavy rains.

This was after the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Ilocos Norte approved Provincial Resolution No. 2025-05-447, endorsing DPWH Region 1 for the dredging of the Galpac Creek in Paoay and the desilting of Daurao Creek, a major waterway in this city that exits into the sea.

Engineer Kim Angelo Soy, a dredge master of DPWH Region 1, said the project has been a longtime request of the local government units of Laoag and Paoay to declog waterways and restore their original depth to prevent overflow that affects nearby communities ...