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MASANTOL – A village leader here suggested to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to hire locals for the demolition of illegal structures established along the high water channel of the Pampanga River.
Jesus Velasquez, Bagang village chieftain said that they are willing to comply with the ruling of the Supreme Court involving massive cleanup of the Pampanga River and other water channels by removing encroachers within the perimeter.
“Hindi namin gusto yung demolition pero wala naman kaming magagawa. Kailangan naming sumunod dahil korte na ang nagdesisyon dito. Ang gusto lang namin sana ay yung mga apektadong residente ay kunin na nilang trabahador sa pagdemolish para kahit pangkain lang mayroon naman sila,” Velasquez told Sun Star Pampanga in an exclusive interview.
He divulged that demolition in Bebe Anac village here and in some areas in Macabebe town already started two weeks ago.
It can be noted that there were about 698 shanties, houses and other unauthorized structures along the stretch of Pampanga River all the way to the mouth of Manila Bay which are covered by the demolition order.
These structures were partly blamed by local officials for the unprecedented flooding experienced in various municipalities in the province.
The higher court ordered DPWH and other attached agencies to implement the demolition order to restore and maintain the major water channels for the next generation.
Demolition will also cover at least 233.571 hectares dedicated to fishing industry, a portion of the High Water Channel (HWC) located within the municipal waters in Macabebe town.
Earlier, before the onset of the rainy season, Antonio Molano Jr., DPWH regional director, revealed that some 40 houses and illegal structures in Macabebe town were already dismantled.
It was also learned that the fishing structures also prevent the free flow of water from Pampanga River down to Manila Bay .
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