PamCham wary of Arayat dikes’ condition
-A A +AWednesday, August 15, 2012
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- A “disaster waiting to happen” was how the leadership of the Pampanga Chamber of the Commerce and Industry Inc. (PamCham) described the current condition of Guemasan and Cupang dikes in Arayat town.
PamCham chairman Emeritus Levy P. Laus observed that part of the Guemasan dike has already collapsed after failing to withstand the strong water current from upstream.
“Ginawa na rin dati ito ng DPWH. Pwede pa naman gawan ito ng engineering intervention bago pa lumala ang problema,” he said.
Laus and his group visited the said dikes the other day to personally determine the extent of damages, which might affect the rest of the province should the water level at the Pampanga River continue to rise.
“Kapag nabutas ang dike, mas malaki ang problema natin sa probinsiya,” he added.
The PamCham leaders recently met with officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) involving the possible engineering interventions regarding the deteriorating dikes in Arayat town.
Meanwhile, Arayat vice Mayor Larry Trinidad confirmed to Sun.Star Pampanga Tuesday that the Guemasan and Cupang dikes are currently in critical condition.
The local officials have been closely monitoring the Guemasan Dike, as it is due to collapse anew should the current and water level in Pampanga River fail to subside.
“Critical pa rin ang Guemasan kaya binabantayan natin ang bahaging ito tuwing umaapaw ang Pampanga River,” Trinidad stressed.
The scouring of the Guemasan and Cupang dikes would likewise endanger neighboring towns such as Sta. Ana, Candaba, San Luis, Mexico and even the City of San Fernando, earlier reports said.
Published in the Sun.Star Pampanga newspaper on August 15, 2012.
Local news
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