CITY OF SAN FERNANDO – Governor Lilia G. Pineda allotted some P10 million for the desilting of the old river channel from Gugu, Labuan, Pasig Potrero up to San Francisco river going to Pampanga bay to prevent flooding in this city, Sto. Tomas and Minalin.
The said funds will be used mainly for gasoline of backhoe and other equipment of the provincial government and the quarry operators who volunteered to help in the excavation of the old water ways.
The governor said she wants speedy solution because nobody knows when will be the next strong rains and typhoons.
“ We should help and be part of the efforts to avoid further damage and problems caused by floods,” the governor said.
It was learned that the desilting of the area was the “collective decision” of Gov. Pineda, Pampanga Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) represented by Engr. Marni Castro and Minalin Mayor Arturo Naguit, whose town was entirely submerged by flood waters after a portion of the tail dike collapsed.
This came after Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Rogelio Singson approved the allotment of P270-million for the rehabilitation of the tail dike and the rechanneling of the waterways.
As this developed, Pineda got the full support and commitment of the Federation of Small Scale Quarry Operators of Pampanga (FSSQOP) in helping the DPWH and the Provincial Government in reviving the original channel of the waterways near the breached portion of the San Fernando-Sto. Tomas- Minalin tail dike.
The quary operators had volunteered for the desilting of the waterways down to Dalan Pare going to San Francisco River to save this city and four towns from floods.
Antonio “Tony” Buyson, president of the 70-member FSSQOP, said Wednesday during a brief meeting with the officials of the provincial government that they are committed to help the governor and the DPWH in making palliative, immediate and effective solutions to prevent flooding caused by the two breached portions of the dike measuring 50 and 70 meters respectively located at the boundary of this city and Bacolor town at the height of torrential rains on August 7.
The quarry operators said their group will inspect the area before they start the desilting operations at “no expense to the province.”
Buyson said, they will also allow the free use of their back hoe on barge to be used for the desilting of at least six kilometers of the river channel along Minalin and Sto. Tomas towns.
“This is genuine partnership of the private sector and the province to make the necessary and immediate steps in saving several areas of Pampanga from further damage caused by flooding,” the governor said.
Pineda disclosed that the province’s capital city of San Fernando, Minalin, Sto. Tomas, Apalit and portions of Macabebe had remained threatened by waters coming from Gugu river that supposed to flow to Labuan river going to Manila Bay.
The breached portions of the said dike caused the flooding of areas in this city not previously affected and was also blamed for the retention of floodwaters in the said four towns two weeks after the four-day torrential rains, the governor said.
She added that the desilting operations will revive the original channel of the water along the rivers and will prevent flash floods from affecting the south west portion of Pampanga.
“The opening at the damaged tail dike caused the water to flow to another direction adversely affecting our city and towns,” said Pineda.
Buyson said they will be able to remove “100 to 150” truck loads of sand materials daily from the operations. The narrow, one-way road to the area prevents the FSSQOP from increasing their desilting operations despite the commitment of their members, he added. (Joel Mapiles, PIO Pampanga)
