ANGELES CITY --- Pampanga First District Congressman Carmelo “Jon” Lazatin has vowed to provide P35 million for the armoring of the Abacan River embankment in Barangay Malabanias here.
This was learned from Malabanias Chairman Reynaldo N. Gueco who earlier called the attention of the national and local government regarding the issue of flooding and lateral erosions at the Abacan river which endangers the lives and properties of the residents.
“Congressman JonJon Lazatin has granted my request and he will give us a P35-million budget for the Abacan River riprap,” Gueco said.
During heavy rains, settlers along the riverside are at risk of being washed out because of lateral erosions.
“The rainy season is near and folks along the Abacan riverside near the Malabanias and Del Rosario Compound areas are worried about their houses getting washed out,” Gueco said.
The village chairman disclosed that the government (national and local) is the one implementing the dike protection programs.
“The dike is a project of the government and a barangay’s 20 percent local development fund cannot afford it,” the barangay chief added.
A barangay with P30-million budget can only allot P6 million to its development fund which is insufficient to utilize on big projects, according to Gueco.
“Barangays are not allowed to spend more than the 20 percent development fund. Otherwise, the barangay chief could be charged that is why what we do is request assistance from the mayor, congressman, senator and public works,” he added.