Sunday, October 12, 2008 Arroyo to allot P100M for Arnedo dike's repair
ARAYAT -- President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has ordered the release of P100 million for the rehabilitation and repair of the Arnedo dike, which serves as a flood control structure protecting several municipalities in Pampanga.
Third district Representative Aurelio Gonzales Jr. made the announcement during an ocular inspection of the Arayat-Apalit portion in Barangay Cupang where government engineers and local residents have undertaken sandbagging operations and placed gabions and spur dikes to protect the endangered portion.
Gonzales said President Arroyo has promised to release an initial P23 million for the Arnedo dike, adding that he is sourcing funds for the repair of the endangered portion in Barangay Cupang.
He said a long term solution must be attained to address the problem and that the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), local government units (LGUs) and his office are closely working together to come up with a plan on how to divert the flow of water from it's current source to another channel.
"Even without a budget, we will source out funds to repair the dike. We cannot sacrifice the safety of our constituents, we will do what ever means possible to assure them that this problem will be fix in the soonest possible time," Gonzales aid.
For his part, Mayor Chito Espino said that only four meters is left before the dike would be breached by floodwaters coming from the Rio Chico river, Aurora, Tarlac, and Nueva Ecija.
"The imminent breaching of a portion of the Arayat-Apalit dike in Barangay Cupang here is threatening to flood the towns of Sta. Ana, Mexico, Candaba, Minalin,Sto. Tomas, and City of San Fernando," Espino said.
He added that he has already released some P2 million from his own budget to be used for the construction of gabions, purchase of cement and sandbags as well as for the food-for-work of local residents undertaking palliative measures at the said site.
"We can only do so much with our meager funds because our funds are allotted for other projects like infra, health, education and livelihood for our people," Espino said.
DPWH-Pampanga 1st District Engineer Rico Guilas meanwhile said their agency has already fielded 40 workers to assist local residents in the sandbagging operations. (CN)
