Mayor Espino shows Gov. Pineda and Board Member Tolentino the collapsed dike in Barangay Guemasan on Monday. Photos by Ric Gonzales
ARAYAT, Pampanga – At least two barangays here are in danger following the collapsed of the P25-million Arayay-Apalit setback levee constructed through the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) of 3rd District Rep. Aurelio Gonzales.
Gov. Lilia Pineda and provincial engineers on Monday inspected the damaged portion of the slope protection in Barangay Guemasan. They were accompanied by Mayor Luis “Chito” Espino.
Residents of Guemasan and nearby Barangay Cupang here are in danger if the water of the Pampanga River would not be diverted to its old channel.
Earlier, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) regional office desilted the old channel but it was not enough to divert the flow of water, it was learned.
Pineda said she will ask sand quarry operators to desilt the heavily-silted area.
“We will not charge the truckers of any quarry fee. This is to fast track the desilting and save the people before it’s too late,” added Pineda in the dialect.
“We must do it now before the rainy season comes,” she added.
Residents interviewed said they had“no choice but to stay around despite the danger.”
“We thank the governor for helping us this early. Sadly, the dike was destroyed already,” they added in the dialect.
Fourth District Board Member Nestor Tolentino said that “the idea of the governor is good.” He added that the “only feasible and faster way is to divert the flow of water.”
He saidto repair the dike requires too much funding.
Joel Mapiles, provincial information officer, said the Arayat-Apalit setback levee is the second line of defense against perennial flooding in the province.
He added that the first is the Arnedo dike but its portion in Arayat was recently totally damaged.
