Damaged dike threatens Lubao, Pampanga

Local authorities in Lubao, Pampanga expressed concern that continuous heavy rains would erode a dike connected to the nearby Sto. Cristo Dam.

According to Raffy Tima’s Thursday report on “24 Oras,” a resident was forced to evacuate her home after the dike in front of her property collapsed.

Resident Maribel Lozano said a portion of the dike began collapsing on Sunday. Last Tuesday, large chunks of the structure started falling into the water.

At around 2 p.m. on Wednesday, the road in front of her house had disappeared. Aerial footage showed a considerable portion of the dike has been washed into the river.

There was no retaining wall on that part of the dike since it is where the trucks used to construct the dam pass through.

Barangay personnel attempted to place sandbags in the affected areas, but these were swept away by the raging water from the dam.

The barangay captain of Sta. Rita, Teddy Santos, said that once the dike fully collapses, more than 30,000 families will be affected.

The affected areas are barangays San Miguel, San Vicente, San Nicholas First, San Nicholas Second, and even the Jaza Road, he said.  

The Philippine National Police said it will deploy personnel in the area to provide security.

Meanwhile, the Pampanga provincial government ordered the local Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) personnel to expedite the placement of sandbags, large rocks and soil to prevent the dike from completely collapsing.

According to the DPWH, this move is the most feasible action to address the dike problem.

Some residents volunteered to unclog the dam by removing water lilies that hamper the passage of water, causing it to move in the direction of the damaged dike.

Even as the water coming from the dam has subsided, authorities remain on alert as more rain threatens the structure of the dike. — Mariel Celine Serquiña/RF, GMA Integrated News