Government officials have assured residents of immediate action following the damage to a key dike in Barangay Sta. Rita, Lubao, Pampanga, caused by recent tropical cyclones and prolonged rains.

Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Manuel Bonoan visited the site and acknowledged the urgency of the situation.

“Critical nga talaga kung hindi natin mabigyan ng lunas kaagad. But rest assured that this will be attended to by the government, including NIA (National Irrigation Administration) and DPWH,” Bonoan said.

DPWH, in coordination with the provincial government, confirmed plans not only to restore the damaged dike but also to conduct a dredging operation in the Pampanga River to address the broader problem of siltation and shallow riverbeds.

“I agree completely with the good governor — kailangan talaga natin ng dredging at desilting ng mga ilog, hindi lang dito sa Pampanga kundi sa buong bansa. ‘Yan ang malaking challenge natin dahil mababaw na ang ating mga riverbeds,” Bonoan added.

In Guagua, a portion of the irrigation canal in Sitio Ligaya, Barangay Pulungmasle, collapsed after the soil weakened from nonstop rains.

In Bacolor, the slope protection along Cabambangan Creek gave way.

In Sasmuan, a riprap section near the Banqueruan Bridge also collapsed. The DPWH plans to implement temporary measures such as sandbagging and bamboo piling to prevent further erosion.