CANDABA -- Mayor Rene Maglanque lauded the Provincial Government that gave Monday financial assistance to the affected families whose houses were destroyed by the continuous erosion of the riverbanks of the Pampanga river here.
Maglanque said the assistance coming from the Capitol under the administration of Governor Lilia Pineda is a big help for the 13 affected residents whose houses were swallowed by the rampaging water of the Pampanga River.
"As mayor of Candaba, I am very grateful to the governor for her numerous assistance for the betterment of my constituents. She delivers assistance on health, infrastructure, agriculture, livelihood, education, trainings and even in the maintenance of peace and order," the mayor said.
Initially, Pineda distributed P10,000 each as shelter assistance to the 13 affected families from Barangays Pasig, Gulap, Bambang and Pescadores. The Provincial Government is also set to provide P5,000 each for the families who have partially damaged houses.
Prior to the assistance given by the Provincial Government, Maglanque already provided financial assistance to the said affected families whose houses were destroyed and swallowed by the river.
This came as the mayor is also working for the establishment of a resettlement area in a 6.7-hectare relocation site for those affected by typhoons and riverbank erosion.
The proposed resettlement site is along Pansol Road in Barangay Pasig, which could be a better and safer place for the affected Candabenios.
Maglanque said they have already bought a parcel of land for the resettlement of those who would be affected by the incoming rainy season and possible erosion of the embankment of the Pampanga River as it is slowly swallowing a bigger portion of the riverbank, particularly in the Poblacion side of the river.
More families in these villages are also facing danger as their houses are situated on top of the riverbanks, or inches away from the Pampanga River.
The mayor said he has a standing order to the affected families to evacuate, particularly those whose houses are located 15 meters from the riverbank.
The looming erosion at the riverbank is also threatening the barangay hall cum health center in Barangay Buas, as its foundation is situated within the river slope.
However, Maglanque said the main problem is that there is no available lot within the barangay for the proposed transfer of this government facility. (Joel Mapiles/Pampanga PIO)