Barangay officials in Candating, Arayat, Pampanga have called on President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., the Congress and officials of Pampanga province to conduct an immediate investigation into the collapse incident of P91.5 million flood control project.
The slope protection structure, part of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) “Flood Management Program” aimed at protecting the Pampanga River Bank, gave way after heavy rains brought by Typhoon Enteng, forcing over 10 families to evacuate their homes.
Kagawads Joseph Hipolito, Manny Mariano, Jace Pineda, Rizza Gutierrez, Arnold Alicuman, Gonzalo Mesa, and Beng Pineda condemned the collapse incident as a glaring misuse of public funds, pointing out that the P91.5 million project has not only failed to deliver protection but has endangered lives and property.
They stressed the need for accountability and urged authorities to act swiftly to prevent further disasters.
It was learned that the government engineers from the DPWH after the incident immediately inspected the 100-meter portion of the slope protection structure and will immediately make engineering intervention.
The damaged riverbank settlement is a flood mitigation facility project implemented by the DPWH-Pampanga 1st District Engineering Office (DEO) under contractor EDMARRI Construction and Trading.
Almer Miranda, chief of the Pampanga 1st DEO said the project was implemented under the 23CG0041 Flood Management Program—Construction/Rehabilitation of Flood Mitigation Facilities within Major River Basins and Principal Rivers.
DE Miranda said the slope protection project is located near the Pampanga River system which is being done by EDDMARI Construction, involves the “Construction/Maintenance of Flood Mitigation Structures and Drainage Systems and Rehabilitation of Eroded Pampanga River Bank at Candating (Phase 2), Arayat, Pampanga.
EDDMAR Construction is now doing the rectification at its own expenses.
“The contractor commits to do and finish the restoration works without any additional costs from the government,” DE Miranda said in a text message.
The government agency added that it will continue to monitor the situation and prepare quick-response assets.
The Barangay officials expressed fear that with more typhoons expected in the coming months, the displaced families remain at risk.
The kagawads added that more residents susceptible to flooding and soil erosion in these areas, particularly those with young children and elderly members, are among the most vulnerable.
They also emphasized that, unless immediate action is taken, the number of affected households could increase dramatically, with entire communities at risk of being submerged.
They noted that many of the affected families are daily wage earners, whose livelihoods have been further jeopardized by the ongoing weather disturbances.
They reiterated their appeal for government intervention, urging both local and national agencies to expedite the provision of financial aid, food supplies, and temporary shelter.
Meanwhile, the Sangguniang Bayan of the Municipality of Arayat requested Engr. Emiljan Quito, DPWH-Project Engineer for the program of works and detailed report on what causes the collapsed of the said multi-million flood control project.
This after the SB and the Municipal Planning and Development Coordinator found out that the said project was not monitored and evaluated by the Local Government of Arayat.
