‘It’s all or nothing’
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO— “It’s all or nothing. Business establishment owners and other encroachers must understand that what we are doing is for the greater good and welfare of the residents of the village.”
So said Barangay San Nicolas Chairman Rosemary Calimlim as she supervised village officials, city marshals and workers from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and drainage systems contractor China Waters in clearing obstructions and encroaching structures along major waterways along MacArthur Highway in the southern part of this city.
Two weeks ago, village officials urged encroachers to demolish their respective structures which were illegally constructed on top of a major drainage system, causing perennial flooding and posing health risks to residents, particularly school children.
“There are a few who are opposing the demolition even as we obtained permission from the DPWH First District Engineering Office headed by Engr. Rico Guilas. But we have to do is with political will if we really want to solve flooding in the village which endangers residents, especially children. This problem has been unchecked for many years until now that we started it,” Calimlim said. She noted that some 45 business establishments have encroached government property and violated the prescribed three-meter setback provision. The blocked drainage system stretches about one kilometer southwards from a gasoline station all the way to the San Fernando-Sto. Tomas boundary marker on the right side of MacArthur Highway.
“About 45 business establishments and some residential buildings are now being demolished for us to clear and clean the drainage system. There is opposition of course, but we have been discussing the problem with encroachers and some have voluntarily started demolishing on their own, structures that are right on top of the drainage. We will have to do this for the greater welfare of people in San Nicolas, like students who wade through deep floods just to get to school. Imagine the threat of dengue and other diseases if we will not do this immediately,” Calimlim said. It will take three to four months, she added, to totally clear the area of encroaching structures and allow water to flow down to Mapalad Creek in Barangay Del Pilar. — JTD