Zambales folk demand road design changes

BOTOLAN, Zambales—Residents have asked the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to change the design of a road being built here, saying it can trigger severe flooding in the town.

Johnny Williams, 71, a resident, said the design of the road leading to a temporary steel bridge in Barangay Carael will cause severe flooding because it is higher than any of the fences of houses there. The road is about a meter from their houses, he said.

“If there is a storm, and there is flooding, the water cannot pass through and we will be drowning in it,” he said.

He said the main problem was that the approach to the bridge goes as high as 3 meters and the road spans 1.5 kilometers.

“The project has already started, although we complained as soon as we saw what they were doing. But the DPWH is not listening to us,” he said.

Celsa Velasco, who lives nearest to the bridge, said her house would be submerged if a storm dumps heavy rains.

“In the beginning, we were told that this was going to be only about 1.5 meters high,” she said.

Benito Yap, who is among the leaders of a signature campaign against the project, said the DPWH has not heeded their plea despite a resolution issued by the Botolan town council and an appeal from Mayor Nerma Yap. Robert Gonzaga, Inquirer Central Luzon