P25-M budget for cut-off channel approved

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO – Governor Lilia Pineda said Monday the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Rogelio Singson has approved a P25-M budget for the proposed cut-off channel at Pampanga River along the portion of Barangay Guemasan in Arayat town.

Pineda pointed out that the Provincial Government shall closely monitor the dredging activity so that the budget allotted could be maximized for its real purpose.

The governor also explained that they will constantly coordinate with officials of the DPWH being the lead agency tasked to implement the proposed cut off channel.

“Titiyakin natin na kung gaano ang pondong inilaan ng pamahalaan ay iyon din ang halaga ng proyektong magagawa. Sa proyektong ito, dapat ay wala ng SOP upang hindi masakrapisyo ang kalidad ng proyekto at tunay na pakinabangan ng taong bayan,” Pineda added.

Pineda said they will support the project until it is fully completed. “Tutulong tayo sa iba pang pangangailangan sa pagbubukas ng original channel ng Pampanga River,” she explained.

“Malaki na ring tulong ito sa ating mga kababayan na nalalagay sa panganib tuwing panahon ng tag-ulan,” Pineda said.

It can be recalled that Engineer Philip Meñez, DPWH director for Major Flood Control and Drainage Canal Cluster 2, favored the proposal of Pineda for the dredging of the original cut-off channel on the other side of the river in Barangay Guemasan, which has been developed by nature into an isle due to accretion.

“Kapag natuloy ang paggawa sa cut off channel ay hihina na ang impact ng agos ng tubig na tumatama sa Guemasan Dike dahil mada-divert na ang daloy ng tubig, Menez,” explained.

However, it can also be noted that P77-M has been originally proposed for Guemasan Dike rehabilitation as part of the flood mitigation project by the government as embodied in the Japan International Cooperation Agency loan.

Published in the Sun.Star Pampanga newspaper on September 14, 2010.

By Herbert P. Mapiles