CITY OF SAN FERNANDO – Governor Lilia G. Pineda led the distribution of P250,000 allotted for the affected families residing at the Apalit-Arayat setback levee under its Disaster-Mitigation Assistance Program Monday.

Pineda urged the representatives of the 10 affected households along the Cupang, Arayat portion of the setback levee to vacate their premises immediately and to find safer place to settle in.

“We do not want your loved ones to be at risk. As heads of your families, you should be in charge of their safety and take measures to make sure they are out of harm’s way when disaster strikes,” the governor advised.

The residents were assisted by village chief Orlan Buan Salac who vowed to ensure the relocation of the informal settlers.

“I want to assure the governor that the families currently residing at the setback levee will not return their old homes once they have found another location to settle in,” Salac declared.

Accordingly, the residents and their village chief signed a Memorandum of Understanding wherein it was stipulated, construction of any structure along the Arayat-Apalit setback levee is prohibited, to be enforced by the village officials.

“We have always lived there so it’s very hard for us to leave. But we understand the governor’s intentions and we are very grateful for the assistance given to us by the provincial government,” said one of the residents.`