Pampanga local execs appeal to DPWH not to cancel P77-M funds for Arayat dike’s rehab

by JOEL P. MAPILES

ARAYAT, Pamp. ---- Local officials here have appealed to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to reconsider the cancellation of the P77-million Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) loan intended for Arnedo dike slope protection rehabilitation project in this town.

Governor Lilia Pineda, together with the members of the Pampanga Mayor’s League and the thousands of residents here and nearby towns, are asking DPWH Secretary Rogelio Singson to release the intended budget for the immediate rehabilitation of the slope protection that would prevent the continuing collapse of the Arnedo dike.

Local officials said that thousands of residents living in several villages along Arnedo dike -- supposed first line of defense against the overflow of Pampanga river and even millions of properties and agricultural produce will be put in danger should the scouring of the dike at the Guemasan-Cupang portion persists.

Pineda said if the DPWH takes time to re-assess the imminent danger and the safety of the people here, she would urge the department to study for more permanent and comprehensive solution to prevent the continuing collapse of the dike.

The governor said that upon consultation with the people, local officials and the supervising engineer of the DPWH, they have assessed that the lasting solution to the erosion of the dike is the opening of the original water channel which was heavily silted due to continuous land accretion at that side of the river.

She said the DPWH should work for the reprogramming of this old river-channel and come up with a more comprehensive design and master plan as soon as possible.

The governor said the DPWH’s comprehensive program of works would be the basis of the local officials in lobbying to the secretary and even to President Benigno Aquino III to release the intended budget.

Jose Datu, district engineer of the Pampanga First Engineering Office, disclosed that the DPWH has started the excavation of the said water channel few years back.

However, Datu said, it was stopped due to lack of funds as only P3-million was allotted to the project.

Pineda said the continuous erosion of Arnedo dike cannot be solved through “piecemeal” basis project.

Last year, through the assistance of 3rd District Rep. Aurelio “Dong” Gonzales, the 60-meter slope protection was constructed with an approved budget of P23 million. The project was given additional P3 million.

However, this year as rainy season started, the slope protection is scouring on a daily basis due to the strong current of the Pampanga River.

Hence, the governor said the slope protection is not the permanent solution but the opening of the original river channel to control and minimize the current that hit the 53-year old Arnedo dike.

The scouring of Arnedo Dike, if not given the appropriate and immediate solution, would put in danger the towns of Arayat, Sta. Ana, Candaba, San Luis, Mexico and even the City of San Fernando, reports said.

The Arnedo dike serves as the first line of defense, followed by the Arayat-Apalit setback levee that save some towns from the province’s fourth and third districts against the strong water flow of the Pampanga river.

Cupang barangay chairman Orland Salac said in their area, the Arnedo dike was totally swallowed by the Pampanga River and what is left for their protection is the Arayat-Apalit setback levee.

Now, the Arnedo dike is no more a defense against flood 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, he said.