MASANTOL -- Residents of the nine barangays along the Pampanga River on Wednesday aired their fears over the possible strong water surges that may hit their communities come the rainy season.
This was due to the pending demolition of fish pens which serve as secondary protection to water surges during onslaught of typhoons.
The said demolition is part of the Clearing of High Water Channel of Pampanga Delta 1 project facilitated by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) which aims to widen the Pampanga River going to the Manila Bay to minimize flood incidences in the province.
But instead of protecting the people, residents here led by Baka Juan President Arthur Paule said that the project just exposed the communities along the riverside to danger and hazards.
“Ang proyekto ay para bawasan ang pagbaha sa taas na sumisira sa buhay at kabuhayan ng mga mamamayan katulad ng Nueva Ecija, Tarlac at sa Candaba. Pero bakit kami hindi nila iniisip? Maluwag na ang ilog dito, mabilis ang agos ng tubig. Bakit hindi nila luwagan ‘yung nasa taas kasi nandoon ang problema,” he said.
Paule added that their organization, together with all the residents affected, have long been fighting for the suspension of the project until a thorough study and consultation be conducted.
Paule, however, said officials of the DPWH seems to neglect their voices and suggestions as they continue to insist on implementing the project despite the strong opposition of the residents and the local government here.
“Tapos ngayon tag-ulan na. Ang ikinatatakot namin, ‘yung nangyari nung Bagyong Glenda at Yolanda, mangyari ulit sa Masantol, o baka mas malala pa,” he said.
He stressed that even high tide already causes flood on some areas now due to lack of protection on riverbanks.
Mayor Danilo Guintu, for his part, met with the group of fisherfolks and residents on Wednesday to reassure them that he will not permit any demolition activities in his jurisdiction until a serious and thorough study is conducted.
“Ang sigurado dito, bilang mayor ninyo, hindi ko papayagan ang kahit anong pagsira o pagtanggal ng fishpond dito sa Masantol para sa kaligtasan ng ating bayan at ninyo,” he said.
Guintu added that the court has granted a status quo order upon the request of the local government to ensure that there will be no activities that will be conducted in Masantol.
He added that the municipal council also crafted a resolution to urge concerned parties to convene and discuss the matter first before implementing any measure.
Guintu reiterated that the government must desilt the river instead of demolishing the high water channel and just dispersing the soil on the river which only causes further shallowing of the Rio Grande.