Arayat dike collapses; desilting needed

Monday, February 6, 2012

ARAYAT – The Provincial Government is set to ask sand quarry operators to desilt a heavily silted area at the P25-million Arayat-Apalit setback levee – sans quarry fee – following its collapse.

This endangers residents of Guemasan and nearby Barangay Cupang in this town.

Have something to report? Tell us in text, photos or videos.

Governor Lilia Pineda, accompanied by Mayor Luis “Chito” Espino and provincial engineers, inspected the damaged portion of the slope protection in Barangay Guemasan Monday.

Residents of the said barangays are in danger if the water at the Pampanga River is not diverted to its old channel, Pineda said.

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.

“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,” Pineda said in vernacular.

“We must do it now before the rainy season comes,” she added.

Fourth District Board Member Nestor Tolentino said: “the idea of the governor is good.” He added that it is the “only feasible and faster way is to divert the flow of water.”

He said to repair the dike requires too much funding.