DILG, DPWH sign flood program pact for C. Luzon

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) signed yesterday a memorandum of understanding with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) that would effectively address flooding in Central Luzon, particularly in the provinces of Bulacan and Pampanga.

Signed by DILG Secretary Alfredo Lim, DPWH Secretary Gregorio Vigilar and local officials from Bulacan and Pampanga led by Govs. Josefina de la Cruz and Manuel Lapid, the memo specifies that prior public consultation be undertaken by the DPWH before implementing the design and plan to solve the flooding problem in the two provinces.

The DPWH project is expected to reduce flood damage in the downstream areas of the Pampanga River leading to Manila Bay, and will protect villages, towns, ricefields and fish ponds from flood waters coming from the upper Pampanga river basin.

The old program, however, met opposition from residents of barangays alongside the Pampanga river who claimed that the project will inundate their communities.

These sentiments were aired by the residents themselves in meetings initiated by DILG Undersecretary for Local Governments Narciso Santiago Jr. last month, which was also attended by representatives from the public works department.

Santiago said that under the memorandum, the DPWH shall make a new study to address flooding in the area, to be undertaken in consultation with the affected residents. The study shall ensure that the project will have minimal adverse effects on residents.

Prior to this, the DPWH shall conduct an aerial photography to get an accurate picture of the existing situation, particularly the number and types of structures that will be affected along the river banks.

Once the study is completed, its design and plan shall be presented to the officials and residents of Bulacan and Pampanga for census and concurrence.

"Once this project is fully implemented, this will thoroughly address flooding in the provinces affected, something that the previous administrations have failed to accomplish," Santiago said.