Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Rogelio Singson committed P10 million funds for the fuel consumption of heavy equipment which shall be used in dredging silted and clogged waterways in the province.
Singson announced this piece of good news to Governor Lilia G. Pineda who together with Vice-Governor Joseller “Yeng” Guiao, Provincial Board Members Ric Yabut, Nestor Tolentino and Cris Garbo and other concerned officials of the province met with DPWH top officials and discussed effective strategies to address the perennial flood problem in the province.
The governor earlier ordered the immediate clearing, desilting, dredging and rehabilitating of clogged and damaged creeks, waterways and major tributaries in various municipalities of the province to solve the flood problem which adversely affects the economic and infrastructure development of Pampanga.
Aside from desilting and dredging, the public works secretary also recommended the construction of water impounding facility or reservoir to reduce the velocity of water coming from the upstream portions of the province.
The water which would be contained in the reservoir could later be used to irrigate nearby farmlands during summer time, the secretary added.
The governor expressed her gratitude for the national government’s support and assistance in the implementation of various flood mitigation activities.
The DPWH has earlier allocated P25 million funds for the cut-off channel of the Pampanga River and slope protection of Arnedo Dike which would give anti-flood protection to the municipalities of Arayat, Sta.Ana and Mexico while another P10 million were appropriated for the rehabilitation of dikes which were damaged due to typhoon Ondoy.
The provincial government, meanwhile, has allotted P30 million for the purchase of heavy equipment such as backhoe, dump truck, loader and other needed equipment for the clearing, dredging and declogging of affected waterways.
Tons of garbage, water lilies and illegal structures such as fishponds and dwellings were among the identified primary causes of waterways’ obstructions.
Pineda said that we should work and put our acts together to remedy this situation at the soonest possible time as this aggravates the perennial flood problem in our province. (Pampanga PIO)
