The Ilocano Observer Newspaper

TPLEX drainage system and underpass projects unacceptable by farmers

By Vernon B. Galletes

Urdaneta City – In an exclusive observer video interview with Brgy. Consolacion Chairman Arnel S. Antiniw, he disclosed that the TPLEX drainage system and the underpass project designs are not acceptable by the farmers and residents here wherein the other side of the road may not be developed due to impassable 3-in-1 harvesters, big vehicles transporting farm crops or products to the market especially the passage way for heavy equipment of the city government.

According to Antiniw, the residents here and the Barangay Councils are opposing the under construction of the underpass at the TPLEX project and its drainage system. “Dito sa barangay Consolacion kami na barangay official tinutukan talaga namin kaya pati yung underpass tinututulan namin yung kino-construct nila ngayon dahil nga sobrang liit naman hindi na makakapasok yung mga malalaking truck, mga grader hindi na mai-improve sa kabila.”

Antiniw added, the Barangay Councils here made a resolution for the barangay road of 6 meters by 5 meters. There were three (3) roads in this barangay affecting the TPLEx projects, “Yung dalawa ay 4.2 by 4.2 at yung isa is 3 by 3 meters naman yung kino-construct na ngayon . . . nung Tuesday dumating yung return letter sa resolution namin na sinubmit na 6meters by 5meters, e yung inaprub na lang is 4.2 x 4.2 meters, natanggap ko nung Friday last week. May dumating na taga DPWH nung Tuesday pumunta na naman kami kay City Engr. Macario A. Segundo, Jr., nag usap na naman kami na ganito yung building code ng Urdaneta, mga barangay road is 10 meters.”

Kapitan Antiniw will submit their petitions to the Department of Public Works and Highways Secretary Rogelio Singson, “Sana ay luwangan yung kalsada kahit 6 meters x 4.2 pwede na siguro yun. Yun lang panawagan namin sa DPWH na sana apruban ang request namin na mag additional culvert sila dahil meron din kaming additional culverts din para hindi na kami bahain dito sa barangay.”

Meanwhile, City Mayor Amadeo “Bobom” G.E. Perez IV, City Engineer Macario A. Segundo, Jr., the Brgy. Councils of Brgy. Consolacion together with the TPLEx Engineer and others conducted ocular inspection at the Tarlac–Pangasinan–La Union Expressway affecting the said barangay here, last Friday October 17, 2014.

And the other barangays in this barangays affected by the TPLEX project are: Brgy. Cayambanan; Brgy. Dilan-Paurido; Brgy. Cabuloan-Malasin Roads; and Brgy. Consolacion.

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