Only illegal structures are being demolished

This refers to the news article by Mr. Ding Cervantes entitled, “Demolition of Pampanga dike questioned” (The Philippine STAR, Nov. 24, 2014).

In particular, we are referring to the statement of former Vice Mayor Bajun Lacap of Masantol, Pampanga, and we quote, “We want the demolition of the 14 km dike along Pampanga River stopped and probed. The government is still paying for the P2.1-billion loan for the dike system done under the Pampanga Delta Development Project (POOP). Should the demolition continue, the primary dike would be exposed to the current and would likely collapse.“.

May we wish to inform the public that none of the flood control infrastructure funded by Japan International Cooperation Agency (JlCA) for PDDP is being demolished.

What are being demolished are the illegal fishpond dikes/structures in both the low water and high-water channels between the two PDDP dikes and being undertaken by contract with the DPWH Pampanga First District Engineering Office.

This is in line with the national government’s program to address insufficient capacity of waterways of Pampanga Delta brought about by encroachment and siltation causing destructive flooding in the affected areas.

The activity is being done by the Task Force to Recover the Waterways of Pampanga Delta Development Project, Flood Control Component, Phase I created under DPWH Special Order No. 178 Series of 2011 for the conduct of removal of fishponds and other structures within the waterways in coordination with concerned local government units and Philippine National Police.

Further, the P2.1-billion infrastructure funded by JlCA is designed to withstand the currents and is not in any danger of collapsing.

We hope to enlighten the public on this issue through this letter. — Rogelio L. Singson, Secretary, Department of Public Works and Highways