Taguig road dike project approved

President Arroyo has ordered the resumption of the construction of the P2.9 billion road dike project in Taguig.

In a statement, the Taguig municipal government said that the project was approved for implementation in the next three months.

A series of consultation meetings among officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), the National Anti-Poverty Commission, local governments, and other government and non-government organizations paved the way for the resumption of the project, officials said.

The road dike is the solution to the perennial flooding problem in Taguig, Pateros and Pasig, said Taguig Mayor Sigfrido "Freddie" Tinga. It will also serve as a road network linking Rizal to South Superhighway.

President Arroyo had earlier ordered the suspension of the construction of the road dike after several concerned groups protested against its implementation.

Taguig-Pateros Rep. Alan Peter Cayetano opposed the original design of the 9.8 kilometer dike, saying some 1,300 hectares of land would turn into a wasteland.

In his statement, Tinga said the project will proceed following its original design. The road dike project is funded by the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC). – Nikko Dizon