Thursday, August 21, 2008 'Karen' threatens Gugu Dike By Chris Navarro
BACOLOR -- Strong water current caused by continuous rains brought about by Typhoon Karen is threatening the 500-meter unarmored portion of the Gugu Dike here.
This was disclosed by this town's Mayor Romeo Dungca Jr. who appealed to the Provincial Government to assist them in finding a "permanent solution" for the Gugu Dike.
Dungca, who inspected the site Wednesday afternoon, said that if the rains persist within a matter of days, the dike will be "washed-out," causing a backflow and threatening the lives and properties of residents in Barangay Cabalantian.
He added that floodwaters may even reach portions of the City of San Fernando.
The mayor said as of Wednesday, he and barangay officials of Tinajero put up bamboo poles in order to deflect the water current from destroying the Gugu Dike. He, however, said strong water current can simply wash them away in a matter of hours.
Dungca said he is reiterating his appeal to the provincial and national governments to allot funds for the armoring of the dike to prevent it from further damage.
He also expressed Bacoloreños appreciation to third district Representative Aurelio Gonzales for allotting funds last year for the rip-rapping of the portion of the Gugu Dike, but appealed to the lawmaker to also rip-rap the Cabalantian portion.
He said the Municipal Disaster Coordinating Council (MDCC) has already identified certain public schools including the public market to be use as evacuation center in case the Gugu dike is breached.
Last year, 150 meter portion of the dike was breached by rampaging flood waters that submerged some three barangays in this town.
Dungca said he has alerted the local police, the MDCC and barangay officials to monitor the situation and to report the status of the Gugu Dike regularly.
Gonzales said he has already sourced out P50 million funds from President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo for the rip-rapping of the Gugu Dike's Cabalantian portion.
