CITY OF SAN FERNANDO—An initial P2 billion has been programmed for the improvement of two dikes built downstream of the Pampanga River to protect coastal villages in Pampanga province and hasten the flow of floodwater to the Manila Bay. The river is where 30 river systems drain in Central Luzon.
Romeo Momo, Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) undersecretary for Luzon operations, announced on Tuesday the new set of flood mitigation measures, after a meeting with Pampanga Gov. Lilia Pineda at the agency’s regional office here.
Momo said the agency’s priorities are concentrated on the Arayat-Apalit-Masantol-Macabebe Setback Levee and the left bank of the Pampanga Delta Development Project (PDDP) flood control component.
40-km long
The scheduled work would help control floods that affect the Pampanga towns of Arayat, Candaba, San Luis, San Simon, Apalit, Macabebe and Masantol.
The levee, stretching 40 kilometers long, would be fortified with sheet piles made of steel, Momo said.
Completed in 1975, the levee replaced the Arnedo Dike built in the 1940s.
The secondary dike on the left bank of the PDDP will be raised and strengthened.
Fishermen there claimed that the DPWH destroyed the secondary dike when the agency dismantled fishponds to clean, rehabilitate and protect Manila Bay.
Removing islets
Momo said islets, which formed along segments of the Arnedo Dike, are going to be removed.
The DPWH is also seeking a writ of possession over a one-hectare land in Sto. Tomas town, which is blocking the flow of water draining from the City of San Fernando.
The DPWH expropriated the property, depositing P10 million to the court for eventual payment to the land owner.