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Towns permanently in danger

CANDABA — Pampanga Mayors League (PML) president Jerry Pelayo revealed that the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) will not implement any repair along the collapsed portion of Arnedo Dike.

“This stand by the DPWH will permanently endanger the lives and properties of the residents in the 4th district of Pampanga,” Pelayo said.

He said he was informed that the DPWH will soon order massive relocation for residents in towns traversing the Pampanga River for their safety.

The dike is now more than seventy years old. Experts said it could no longer contain huge volumes of water coming from the Pampanga River.

Pelayo said there are thousands of residents living in several villages along Arnedo dike whose relocation could be a big problem for the concerned local government units. The dike has served as defense and protection of the people against huge water flowing from Pampanga River.

Pelayo noted that the government has already proposed the relocation of the residents as early as 1970 but its implementation did not push through.

With the development, the residents welcomed the stand of the DPWH and expressed willingness to cooperate as long they will be provided with a decent relocation site.

“Kung wala na talagang solusyon ang Arnedo Dike, anong magagawa namin? Alangan namang manatili kami dito sa tabi kung alam naming mapapahamak kami. Ang dapat tiyakin ng pamahalaan ay mabibigyan nila kami ng paglilipatan at tutulungan din nila kami sa paglilipat baka kasi di namin kayanin ang lumipat sa hirap ng buhay ngayon,” said Sion Galang, 65, a resident in this town.

Arnedo Dike is no longer a defense against floods as it was severely damaged and is continuously deteriorating due to frequent collapse in almost all sections of the dike from Arayat, Candaba, San Luis, San Simon, Apalit and up to Masantol and Macabebe.

However, municipalities in the fourth district still rely on the strength of the Arayat-Apalit setback levee, Pampanga River’s second line of defense.

Relocation of residents is still the best option, officials said, even until now to prevent further damages to lives and properties.

Sun.Star Pampanga tried to reach DPWH officials but no comments were issued as of this posting Monday. (Herbert P. Mapiles)

Published in the Sun.Star Pampanga newspaper on August 10, 2010.

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