GMA releases paltry P8-M for Ecija dike

BONGABON, Nueva Ecija — President Arroyo has ordered the release of P8 million for the rehabilitation of the 10-kilometer spur dike here which a typhoon damaged early this year.

The fund, however, is too meager since the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has proposed a total rehab cost of P327.57 million, thus raising concern that the dike might give way anew in case another strong typhoon strikes.

Mayor Beth Gamilla said the President has directed the DPWH to make the amount available as a "mitigation fund" to rehabilitate the Digmala River control project.

Gamilla said the DPWH regional office in Central Luzon under director Ramon Aquino, will be supervising the dike’s rehab in coordination with local officials.

The rehab includes restoration of the breached sections of the embankment, the left dike section in Barangay Pesa and the right dike section in Barangays Ariendo and Vega.

The typhoon early this year resulted in losses of about P60 million for 1,800 onion farmers in this premier onion-producing town, which produces roughly 70 percent of the country’s onion output.