Sunday, April 27, 2008 Capitol may pullout from Gugu desilting By Marna H. Dagumboy
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- In view of the impending heavy rains that necessitates the fast-tracking of desilting operations in Gugu Creek, Pampanga Governor Eddie Panlilio has asked Bacolor Mayor Romeo Dungca to "once and for all agree to let desilting permitees to operate in Gugu."
Otherwise, "the Capitol will pull out from Gugu Creek by Monday morning," the priest-turned-governor warned.
In a statement, Panlilio said pursuant to Executive Order (EO) 2007-44-ETP issued last December 17, the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (Penro) has processed the applications to desilt the upstream and downstream portions of Gugu Creek on a first come, first served basis.
After completing all requirements, the Penro has granted Permits to Extract and Haul to 11 permitees.
The Capitol cited the letter sent to the governor by Guagua-based permitee Enrique Guinto on April 3. He was asking what he should do because, according to him, Dungca wouldn't want to allow him to desilt at the Maliwalu portion of the Gugu Creek.
"The mayor (Dungca) told me that he cannot allow me to extract sand from Bacolor until and unless all the permits of the people of Bacolor are issued by the Capitol", Guinto said.
He further stated: "The money I spent for the application and other fees for the permit to extract are loans I obtained with high interest. I have also used the money my family saved for the operation of my sick son just to meet the expenses required for what I believe is an honest and legitimate livelihood."
Since the desilting of the Gugu Creek is a joint undertaking of different local government units (LGUs), agencies, and civil societies, Panlilio believes that Dungca will heed to his call for full cooperation on this matter.
The Capitol said it has initiated several negotiations in order to facilitate the timely desilting of Gugu before the onset of the rainy season.
In fact, the Provincial Government has already spent P1.4 million for the fuel and lubricants of heavy machineries and another P700,000 was already allocated for this purpose.
It has also made available two dump trucks, graders, and payloader to extract materials from the heavily silted creek.
In one of the meetings conducted, Councilor Rimando Gozun of Bacolor admittedly said that this is the first time the Capitol has instigated the desilting of Gugu Creek.
