CITY OF SAN FERNANDO - The asphalting project of the 26-kilometer Arayat-Apalit setback levee has been declared 'dead on arrival' following the suspension order issued by a top executive of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in the region.
DPWH Region III Director Antonio Molano, the other day, disclosed that with the series of breaches in the Arnedo Dike and Arayat-Apalit setback, the need to re-assess the impending asphalting project arises.
"Kailangan muna siguro nating pag aralan muli kung kailangan talaga natin ang asphalting. Baka kasi unwise ang asphalting kung masisira din mismo ang dike," Molano stressed.
He also stated that the department is now giving priority to setback levee rehabilitation by strengthening its slopes in both sides and widening the upper portion.
This came after several mayors have reported to DPWH that portions of the Arayat-Apalit setback levee, serving as the second line of defense against flooding, in their respective towns have been breached.
This includes the towns Arayat, Candaba, Apalit, San Luis and San Simon where the floodwater over taps the said levee which brought massive flooding to villages in several towns outside the dike such as Sta. Ana, Mexico, Sto. Tomas including some areas in the City of San Fernando.
It can be recalled earlier that 4th District Congresswoman Dra. Anna York Bondoc-Sagum had been boasting about the project saying that after a seven-year of wait, it’s all systems go for the asphalting of a portion of the 26-kilometer Arayat-Apalit setback levee.
Bondoc-Sagum in a previous meeting with the barangay chairmen of Pasig, Lanang , Mandasig, Bambang and Pansinao announced the start of the project.
The lady solon also told them that 26-kilometer Arayat-Apalit setback levee asphalting project is considered one of the biggest road improvement projects not only in Pampanga but in Central Luzon.
Molano, meanwhile, clarified that DPWH has allocated not less than P72-million for the purpose far from the P170-million earlier mentioned by Bondoc-Sagum.
DPWH Region III Director Antonio Molano, the other day, disclosed that with the series of breaches in the Arnedo Dike and Arayat-Apalit setback, the need to re-assess the impending asphalting project arises.
"Kailangan muna siguro nating pag aralan muli kung kailangan talaga natin ang asphalting. Baka kasi unwise ang asphalting kung masisira din mismo ang dike," Molano stressed.
He also stated that the department is now giving priority to setback levee rehabilitation by strengthening its slopes in both sides and widening the upper portion.
This came after several mayors have reported to DPWH that portions of the Arayat-Apalit setback levee, serving as the second line of defense against flooding, in their respective towns have been breached.
This includes the towns Arayat, Candaba, Apalit, San Luis and San Simon where the floodwater over taps the said levee which brought massive flooding to villages in several towns outside the dike such as Sta. Ana, Mexico, Sto. Tomas including some areas in the City of San Fernando.
It can be recalled earlier that 4th District Congresswoman Dra. Anna York Bondoc-Sagum had been boasting about the project saying that after a seven-year of wait, it’s all systems go for the asphalting of a portion of the 26-kilometer Arayat-Apalit setback levee.
Bondoc-Sagum in a previous meeting with the barangay chairmen of Pasig, Lanang , Mandasig, Bambang and Pansinao announced the start of the project.
The lady solon also told them that 26-kilometer Arayat-Apalit setback levee asphalting project is considered one of the biggest road improvement projects not only in Pampanga but in Central Luzon.
Molano, meanwhile, clarified that DPWH has allocated not less than P72-million for the purpose far from the P170-million earlier mentioned by Bondoc-Sagum.