THE Limketkai Sons Inc. on Wednesday, October 24, demanded for an official written communication from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) first before it will decide and agree on the drainage plan that is seen to solve flooding in their property.
A committee meeting of the public utilities on Wednesday was adjourned almost immediately after the body decided not to proceed with the discussion since the Limketkai demanded for a DPWH letter first.
"Walay official communication ilang na-receive na diri diay moagi ang construction sa road lot mismo dapit sa Limketkai. Although kabalo sila sa project, they were not properly informed in writing," Councilor Teodulfo Lao Jr. said in an interview.
Lao pointed out that Limketkai did not decline the project and clarified that Limketkai did not "change his mind" because there was no agreement in the first place
"Ngano nga pasanginlan daw sila nga wala man diha communication nga ning-agi sa ila. For me, it's okay that they are asking for an official communication because in all undertakings, it is required and necessary," Lao said.
A hydraulic drainage is set to be built from the Valenzuela street to the CM Recto and will proceed to the Limketkai area. But the project is on hold after Limketkai allegedly refused the plan presented by the DPWH.
DPWH project engineer Leowald Pecore for his part said Limketkai is aware of the status of the project as these were already discussed in previous negotiations.
"They are asking for a black and white communication pero naka-meeting naman mi several times," Pecore said.
City Engineer Rolando Pacuribot meanwhile said he is confident that negotiations would go smoothly in the coming days. He said option A, where the drainage will pass through a road lot beside the Limketkai property will eventually be chosen on how to proceed with the project.
"It is after all a road lot classified by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) as a public land. Zero assessment pud kini nga property so it is owned by the government, less ang atong magasto. Ang ato lang is mananghid sa Limketkai kay naa man ang area sa ilang establishment," he said.
The DPWH has created a last option to proceed with the drainage project, which is to elevate the national highway by about 5 meters, creating an impounding area where the excess water will be stored.
This project will traverse only along the national highway, leaving the Limketkai area heavily flooded. This, after the 4 best options were allegedly rejected by Limketkai.
But Lao said they will not allow this option to be considered since after all, Limketkai is a vital investor.
"Unfair man pud sa ila nga pasagdan nalang nato nga mabahaan sila, that should not be an option kay investor pud nato sila unya daghan ang ga-trabaho diha sa ila. We will continue with the negotiations and hopefully we can finally agree. Ato ning dali-on especially December is fast approaching, rainy days are about to come," Lao added.