DPWH workers remove P’panga River structures

By George Trillo

MASANTOL, Pampanga — The Department of Public Works and Highways has dismantled 40 illegally-built houses and structures along the high water channel of the Pampanga River in this small town and adjacent municipality of Macabebe.

The DPWH said another 698 houses are set to be demolished under the Manila Bay cleanup, rehabilitation, and restoration program.

DPWH Regional Director Antonio Molano Jr. said this move is in line with the order of the Supreme Court to concerned government agencies and local government units to clean up the waterways of Manila Bay.

The DPWH has also completed the inventory of informal settlers and structures encroaching along the waterways ending up to Manila Bay as 94 towns in five provinces in the region came up with a plan of rehabilitating and cleaning up the waterways going to the Manila Bay.

DPWH said that all connected rivers and waterways that eventually exit to Manila bay should be cleared from any obstructions.

Balibago village chief Virginia Lacap, whose house is also erected along the high water channel of Pampanga River tried to appeal.