CITY OF SAN FERNANDO – Perceived shortcomings and anomalies in the construction of the flood-mitigation project in Barangay Candating, Arayat that led to its collapse at the onslaught of Typhoon Carina last July prompted members of the barangay council to seek for a “fair and proper” investigation at the Capitol to determine the cause and allay the fears of their constituents.
“Ang pagguho at tuluyang pagbagsak ng nasabing istraktura ay patunay lamang na ito ay itinayo nang walang angkop na pagsusuri. Ang mabilis na pagguho at pagkasira ng nasabing istraktura ay matibay na indikasyon ng katiwalian sa pagpapatupad ng nasabing programa,” read their “Panawagan sa Patas at Angkop na Imbestigasyon” signed by councilmen Joseph Hipolito, Manny Mariano, Jace Pineda, Riza Guttierez, Arnold Alicuman, and Gonzalo Mesa.
Specific to their call is to determine the specifications of the sheet piles used in the structure: “Kaugnay ng aming kahilingan na magkaroon ng angkop at patas na imbestigasyon hinggil sa nasabing proyekto ay hinihiling din namin na tignan at bunutin ang mga sheet piles na ginamit.”
Hipolito, Pineda, and Alicuman made their appeal in a media conference held at the Gracelane Hotel here on Sept. 10, citing their mandate to ensure the safety and well-being of their constituents.
“Dahil sa nasabing pagguho ng parte ng slope protection project ay nalagay sa kapahamakan ang higit sa 10 pamilya na naninirahan malapit sa nasabing istraktura. Kinailangan lisanin ng mga pamilyang ito ang kani-kanilang mga tahanan bungsod ng panganib na hatid ng pagguho ng nasabing proyekto,” rued the councilmen.
They said the village folk’s fear for their lives worsened with Typhoon Enteng.
“Kamakailan din, matapos ang matinding pag-ulan dulot ng Bagyong Enteng ay tuluyan nang bumagsak at natibag ang malaking parte ng nasabing istraktura.”
Asked if anyone from the Department of Public Works and Highways or the project contractor, identified in tarpaulins on the project site as one “Edmarri Construction,” has reached out to them, they claimed the government agency and the project contractor only talked to the barangay chairman.
They claimed that their village chief has not discuss with the council anything about the collapsed project, dismissing their inquiries with “Bayu ka yu mu” (You’re just neophytes).
What they considered high-handedness on the part of their barangay chairperson moved them to take the matters directly to the Pampanga provincial government, and even higher authorities.
Appealing thus: “Kami ay nakikiisa sa umiigting na panawagan ng mga mamamayan para sa patas na imbestigasyon sa kasong ito upang managot ang mga tao o opisyales sa likod ng proyektong ito at upang bigyang saysay ang ating deklarasyon na ‘Public Office is a Public Trust!’” Punto News Team
