PamCham lauds Capitol, Public Works office

ARAYAT -- Officials of the Pampanga Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc. (PamCham) lauded Wednesday the Provincial Government, Provincial Engineer’s Office and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) First Engineering District for being “proactive and not reactive” in swiftly implementing palliative measures for flood control infrastructure like the setback levee in Cupang, Arayat.

On Wednesday, PamCham Chairman Emeritus Levy P. Laus, president Jim Jimenez, directors Alfrito Mah, Tony Koh and Joyce Duldulao, along with First Engineering District officer-in-charge Engr. Rico Guilas, Provincial Engineer Andy Austria and Cupang village chief Leonardo Salac, inspected and assessed the risks posed by high, strong waters if rains continue.

Branded as “a disaster in the making,” the 50-year-old dike, if damaged, would wreak havoc in the towns of Arayat, Sta. Ana, Mexico, and the City of San Fernando.

Officials said, however, that after evaluating the situation, the condition of the protective infrastructure is “not alarming and not critical.”

Remedial measures have started Tuesday and will resume today after being hampered by heavy rains, officials told Sun.Star Pampanga.

“We would like to thank the Provincial Government led by our Governor Lilia Pineda and the DPWH for being proactive in responding to the threats in Cupang. Even if the measures are palliative, hindi na natin kailangan pang hintayin na may masira at then later on pa lang magre-react. Ayaw na natin na maulit ang nangyari recently,” Jimenez said.

‘Band aid’ for the last line of defense

Guilas said the necessary equipment like cranes, jumbo sandbags, and bamboo cribs are now in the area, together with manpower that will work on the “band aid” slope protection of what he called the “last line of defense” of Pampanga against massive flooding.

“The measures are palliative until we get approval for its permanent solution in the program we have submitted to central office for bidding. We will immediately resume work on the portions at risk with the help of the Provincial Engineer’s Office. The state of the setback levee is not alarming and could be managed,” said Guilas.

Salac, for his part, added that Governor Pineda has been closely coordinating with him and barangay officials.

“Hindi nga po alarming ang kondisyon ng dike pero kailangang magawa na. Ang atin pong gobernadora ay nakikipag-coordinate sa amin at sa mga opisyal natin, kasama ang mga taga private sector upang maproteksiyunan ang setback levee. Nagpapasalamat po kaming lahat sa kanila sa mga hakbang na ito,” Salac said.