Capitol set to buy equipment vs floods

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- The Pampanga Provincial Government is set to purchase a heavy equipment to be used for anti-flooding measures, specifically for repair and rehabilitation of damaged dikes and protective infrastructure.

Provincial Information Officer Joel Mapiles said Governor Lilia Pineda, after finding out that the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) regional office has no budget for the repair of three breached dikes in the wake of Tropical Storm "Falcon" recently, will tap into the P70-million calamity fund to procure the necessary equipment.

"These [equipment] will be used for the repair of damaged infrastructure, especially those within the jurisdiction of Capitol. The governor has appealed to local officials also to support the mobilization of equipment like those from the DPWH, which does not have immediate response funds for disasters," Mapiles told Sun.Star Pampanga.

He cited as an example the breached dike in San Pablo, Sta. Ana town that affected thousands of residents there.

"Capitol has left over calamity funds of P63 million from the previous administration. That, I know, will also be a source of funds for the heavy equipment as Capitol plans to immediately repair damaged flood protection infrastructure on its own," said Mapiles.