As JICA withdraws: P3.5- billion Agno flood control project hangs

By Mar Supnad

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan - The Sangguniang Panlalawigan has summoned officials of the Department Of Public Works and Highways’ Project Management Office in charge of the Agno River Flood Control System to render a report on extent of flood control works along the river following reports the Japanese International Cooperation Agency has withdrawn its financial commitment on the P3.5 billion project.

The SP made the move following a privilege speech by 6th district Ranjit Shahani who expressed dismay over the reported withdrawal by the Japan International Cooperation Agency of its financial commitment.

Head of the concerned agency, project director Resito V.David, failed to answer the SP summons and instead sent Rogelio Pelaez, Edgardo Paragas and Alejandro Sosa, consultants of PMO, as his representatives, raising eyebrows among board members.

It was learned during the question hour that the Agno Flood Control Project worth P3.565 billion, starts at the mouth of the Agno River in Lingayen leading up to San Manuel and San Nicolas where the San Roque Multi-purpose Dam is located.

Phase 1 is from Lingayen to Bayambang, now completed while Phase II from Bayambang to Alcala is 3.5 percent short of the accomplishment target, particularly involving structures in some segments of the project in Alcala town.

The PMO consultants told the SP that JICA’s financial commitment had expired even before the fund portfolio could be exhausted, thus rendering abandoned phase III of the project and the loss of P700 million which otherwise could have been spent to complete the project.

Pelaez said because of time constraints caused by delays in the Alcala segment owing to right-of-way problems brought about by fully grown Mahogany trees which lingered until the expiration of JICA’s period of commitment.

“The people wanted us to pay millions for the mahogany alone”, Pelaez said, adding that “the government threw charges against this because it was illegal to plant trees in there but later dropped it because of the long delayed judgment. “

In the same meeting, Board Member Amadeo Espino, representing the Association of Barangay Captains, lamented non-completion of the JICA-funded project, saying undue delay in construction of dikes in Alcala caused flooding in farming areas of adjacent Bautista town.

“They should have thought of an alternative route, kawawa ang mga tao doon, mga 400 families ang naapektuhan,” Espino said.

Barangay captains and farmers from affected barangays from Bayambang and Bautista towns attended the session to affirm the testimony of Espino.

Because of some questions that could not be answered by the consultants of PMO, presiding officer board member Jeremy Agerico Rosario said Resito David should attend the next session.