CITY OF SAN FERNANDO,– Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Regional Director Antonio Molano Jr. announced yesterday that they have already demolished 40 houses and illegal structures along the high water channel of the Pampanga River in the town of Macabebe.
Molano disclosed that they are still set to dismantle more than 698 houses – 658 in Masantol and 40 in Macabebe.
He said, their move is in line with the order of the Supreme Court to concerned government agencies and local government units (LGUs) to clean up the waterways of Manila Bay.
The director said all connected rivers and waterways that eventually exit to Manila bay should be cleared from any obstructions.
This, despite the appeal of Balibago Village Chief Virginia Lacap whose house is also erected along the high water channel of Pampanga River.
The village chief said around 500 families in their area will be affected as the government did not assign relocation areas for the affected families.
‘Iyong bahay ko, worth P5-million , okay lang na mademolish kung iyon talaga ang nasa batas pero kawawa naman iyong mga mahihirap ng mga kababayan ko na walang malilipatan,” she lamented.
Molano said they can do nothing and they cannot exempt anybody. He said the department has already served three notices to the informal settlers, that’s why they started the demolition of illegal structures.
The director said this is also part of the agency’s solution to address flooding in the area. (Elaine T. Mercado)
