|
BACOLOR, Pampanga: The provincial government is
rushing the desilting of Gugu Creek in this lahar-buried town to
save tributary barangays from massive flooding this rainy season.
Provincial capitol authorities
have urged barangay officials in barangays Cabalantian, Mesalipit,
Talba and Tinajero in the mobilization of resources in Gugu
creek’s desilting project. Chief Jomar Hizon of Cabalantian
offered the services of his two dump trucks and three backhoes while
the provincial government will continue to provide fuel and
lubricants needed by the heavy machineries.
Other barangay officials, on the
other hand, will provide food supplies and other needs of the heavy
equipment operators.
Gov. Ed Panlilio, chairman of
Task Force Gugu, ordered recently the immediate desilting of Gugu
Creek. Desilting operations are being undertaken through pooled
resources from regional agencies, local governments, civil societies
and other stakeholders.
The Department of Public Works
and Highways provided equipment and the technical description of the
area during the initial stage of the desilting efforts. Barangay
Chairman Jomar Hizon of Cabalantian also volunteered backhoes. The
Capitol has released an initial funding of P700,000 for fuel needs
while civil society groups monitored the progress of the
undertaking.
The establishment of a
one-kilometer dike on the eastern bank and an 800-meter long similar
structure on the west side represented the first phase of the
desilting work. At present, the dikes are about two meters in
height, but will have to be raised to four meters with a top surface
width of 8 to 10 meters. The dikes serve as alternative farm to
market roads for the people of Sto. Tomas and Minalin in order to
gain access to commerce in Bacolor.
In April of this year, the
desilting of the Gugu Creek was stopped when Mayor Romeo Dungca of
Bacolor refused to cooperate, did not allow quarry operators to
enter their designated areas along Gugu, and caused negotiations
with the mayor failed.
--Mark Louie P. Roxas
|
