Saturday, October 11, 2008 DPWH starts repair of Arnedo Dike By Jovi T. De Leon
ARAYAT --- Workers from the regional office of the Department of Public Works & Highways (DPWH) started fortifying damaged portions of the Arnedo dike in barangays Cupang and Gemasan here.
A P7 million fund was released for the dike's repair and rehabilitation.
Last week, local officials in this town appealed to the DPWH for the immediate repair of the dike as it threatens lives and properties in several villages in Arayat.
Strong water currents from towns in Aurora and Nueva Ecija carried away logs and cut boards down to tributaries in the town. The debris pummeled the protective structures of the dike.
Rains spawned by Typhoon Pablo caused the Pampanga river and connecting tributaries leading to Candaba to overflow. Twelve barangays in that catch basin town were submerged in deep floodwaters.
DPWH Assistant Regional Director Marcelina Ocampo said they have started sandbagging operation at the Arayat portion breached dike to avert any further damages on the dike.
Only about a meter of the nearby riverbank road in Cupang remained after swirling waters eroded the embankments.
Ocampo said they will construct two spur dikes to mitigate flooding in the areas.
She added that the measures, although palliative, will help in protecting and fortifying the dike's structures.
Thorough reconstruction works on dike will be finished by December, according to Ocampo.
For his part, Chairman Leonardo Salac of Barangay Cupang said they were relieved by the swift actions of the DPWH officials and workers.
