Demolition of structures at Pampanga River set after rains

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) said a demolition of illegal structures along the Pampanga River will be carried out after the rainy season, as the Supreme Court issued an order to clear the waterways of any obstructions.

The Pampanga River is covered by the said Supreme Court order as its water drains to the Manila Bay, which is the subject of a clean-up program to solve the flooding problem in various provinces.

With this, Governor Lilia Pineda expressed support to the directive of President Benigno Aquino III to dismantle all illegal structures constructed within major waterways in the country, including the Pampanga River.

Pineda said she stands behind the President’s directive insofar as the same will benefit the Kapampangans.

“Kailangan po natin itong sundin dahil decision din po ito ng Supreme Court. Wala po tayong magagawa kung ito ang makakabuti sa ating lahat (If this is for our own sake, then we have to follow the order issued by the Supreme Court),” she added.

The Higher Court ordered the demolition of illegal structures such as fishpond facilities and houses that prevent the free flow of water.  

Rico Guilas, DPWH First Engineering officer-in-charge, told Sun.Star Pampanga that the demolition order will be carried out after rainy season in the towns of Masantol and Macabebe.

He also noted there will be no relocation plan for the affected residents because the National Government has already paid and provided for a relocation site long before.

“Bumalik na lang ang marami sa kanila pero nabayaran na sila (Many of them have returned but they were paid long before),” Guilas stressed.