CANDABA - Mayor Jerry Pelayo urged Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to remove vertical clearances intalled in the exit and entry points of Arayat-Apalit setback levee.
This came as heavy dump trucks and other huge rescue vehicles failed to enter few towns in the 4th district of the province for rescue operations last month during calamities.
"Kailangang tanggalin ang mga kongkretong harang sa daan dahil hindi makapasok ang malalaking sasakyan lalu na sa panahon ng kalamidad kung saan kailangan nating iligtas ang ating mga kababayan," Pelayo said.
The mayor also pointed out that the said levee was constructed not only to protect the province from major floodings but also to serve as an alternate route for vehicles coming as far as Cabiao, Arayat down to Apalit and other towns in the province.
It was learned that these vertical clearances were constructed to preserve the asphalted portion of the levee by preventing huge vehicles from passing permanently.
However, Pelayo claimed that the placement of vertical clearance negates the levee's other objectve which is becoming an alternate route for motorists who wanted to get away with the flooded streets during calamity.
"Imagine tricycle lamang ang dumadaan pero yung project nila nasisira pa. Ang kailangang gawin ay patibayin pa ang pundasyon nito," he stressed.