Guemasan dike collapses
ARAYAT – A big portion of Guemasan Dike collapsed Wednesday after it failed to resist strong water currents coming from Pampanga River’s upper portion.
With the collapse, hundreds of residents living near the dike are now exposed to permanent danger to the extent of losing their houses and other properties should the government fail to implement precautionary measures.
“Mga sampung metro na po ang bumagsak sa dike dahil sa malakas na agos na direktang tumatama dito,” one resident said.
The collapsed portion is part of the 60-meter slope protection constructed by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) upon the initiative of Third District Rep. Aurelio “Dong” Gonzales.
The project has been given another P3 million to further strengthen its structure; however, it another 50 meters of the remaining portion of the dike is due to collapse anytime.
The slope protection is scouring daily due to the river’s strong current.
Hearing of the report, Governor Lilia Pineda on Thursday rushed to Barangay Guemasan to provide assistance to the affected residents.
Pineda also advised the families whose houses sit a few meters from the collapsed dike to relocate temporarily for their safety.
“Kinausap natin yung mga tao partikular iyung tatlong pamilya na ang bahay ay nakatayo malapit mismo sa Guemasan Dike na lumipat na upang makaiwas sa anumang trahedya,” she said.
The governor facilitated the construction of their new houses in the place designated by the concerned municipal government.
“Nagpapasalamat po kami sa kabaitan ng ating gobernador dahil papagawan niya kami ng bahay na malilipatan. Hindi niya kami nalilimutan lalo na sa panahon ng kalamidad,” Ernesto Salac, a resident-beneficiary said.
Meanwhile, Pineda opined that the slope protection is not the permanent solution; rather it’s the opening of the original river channel to control and minimize the current that hits the 53-year-old Arnedo Dike.
The scouring of Guemasan Dike would likewise endanger such neighboring towns as Sta. Ana, Candaba, San Luis, Mexico and even the City of San Fernando, earlier reports said. (Herbert P. Mapiles)
Published in the Sun.Star Pampanga newspaper on November 05, 2010.
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