Gov. Lilia Pineda is briefed by Mayor Naguit on the desilting operations along the downstream of Gugu River.
Photo by Joey Pavia
MINALIN, Pampanga – Gov. Lilia Pineda on Wednesday stressed the need to desilt river channels and tributaries on a “consistent and year-round basis” to drastically limit the effects of floods in Pampanga.
Pineda said the provincial government will begin massive desilting operations next year after the purchase of heavy equipment, including backhoes on barge.
“As we experienced many times before, floods easily destroy public and private properties. So we must prioritize projects meant to protect our province and its established infrastructures,” said Pineda in the dialect.
The first-term governor said that heavily-silted channels, notably at the downstream of Gugu River, had caused prolonged floods in the province’s second and fourth districts. She added that the capital city of San Fernando had been severely affected last month after waters along the Gugu River which was supposed to drain to Manila Bay instead went to the city and nearby towns.
Pineda announced that Public Works Sec. Rogelio Singson had expressed his intention to support the year-round desilting operations.
She said Singson told her in their recent meeting that Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) will help the provincial government purchase heavy equipment for operation.
Pineda said she will also coordinate with the DPWH for the “strengthening” of dikes in the province. Foremost of which, she added, are the anti-flood system near the tail dike at the boundaries of the City of San Fernando and the towns of Minalin and Sto. Tomas.
Some 80 meters portion of the tail dike was breached at the height of torrential rains on August 7, causing floodings in the City of San Fernando and the towns of Macebebe, Minalin, Sto. Tomas. Apalit and Masantol.
As of September 5, some areas in Sto. Tomas, Macabebe and Masantol remained flooded.
Pineda said she will continue her call for segregation of waste at source to limit the “erroneous throwing of garbage in rivers and creeks” in the province.
She also pointed out the need to protect watersheds to ensure the supply of potable water at the province’s 505 villages and to help in the prevention of flash floods.
Pineda on Monday inspected the desilting operations along the six-kilometer portion of the Minalin-Sto. Tomas dike. She said that part of the project is the diversion of water passing along the dike to its original channel.
Pineda said the diversion of water to its original channel along the Labuan River and then to Manila Bay will allow the DPWH to repair the breached portion of the tail dike.
Pineda said Mayor Arturo Naguit of this town led the desilting operations in the area which started more than two weeks ago. She added that Mayors Joselito Naguit of Sto. Tomas and Oscar “Jun” Tetangco of Apalit had assisted the Minalin mayor in the non-stop desilting operations.
Pineda said the DPWH is also conducting desilting operations in the area to complement the work of the provincial government and the three mayors.
