A drainage construction project has damaged parts of several homes along Arellano Street in Barangay Pantal, Dagupan City leaving residents asking for assistance as work continues in the area.

Among those affected is Francisca Concepcion, who has lived in her house for nearly five decades. The front portion of her home was demolished as part of the project, and a section of their wall was also broken to make way for the relocation of a water pipe.

“Pero ang una, tinanggal natin yung nadiyan kasi yun lang daw ang matatanggal. Ngayon, hanggang dito na raw kasi yung tubo ng NAWASA kailangan iusog dito,” Concepcion said.

Authorities said the land where the houses stand is government property. Residents were aware of this and did not contest the partial demolition when they were informed last year that parts of their homes would be cleared for the project.

Around 15 houses were affected.

Concepcion said they are not opposing the project but appealed for help from the government.

“Di wala kaming dingding, kung pwede po lagyan din ng harang banda rito o hollow blocks. Wala kaming kapera-pera maski isang sentimos walang binigay,” she said.

GMA Regional TV News sought comment from the local government, but officials declined to grant an interview. The project engineer and the regional director of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Region 1 were also unavailable for comment.

The construction has also caused traffic build-up in the area.

“Ang napansin nga natin na nagca-cause na siya ng traffic build up kaya agad naman tayong naglagay ng steady enforcer na mag-aalalay sa traffic natin,” Rexon De Vera, deputy chief of the Dagupan Public Order and Safety Office, said.

Authorities have not given a specific completion date for the drainage project. Traffic officials warned motorists to expect heavier congestion once road elevation works begin.