Stronger dikes in Sison, Mangaldan sought
OFFICIALS of the Fourth District have asked the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to strengthen the dike in Sison along the Bued River to forestall another possible big flood in Central Pangasinan.
Mangaldan Mayor Herminio Romero, who is spearheading the request, pointed out that the dike, which collapsed at the height of Typhoon “Pepeng” last year, was rebuilt with just an earth embankment that would not likely be sturdy enough to prevent another breach.
When the dike collapsed last year, rampaging floodwater spilled over to Sison, Pozorrubio, Manaoag and San Jacinto through the Aloragat River and caused the Angalacan River in San Fabian to overflow its banks, flooding the towns of Mangaldan, Mapandan, Sta. Barbara, Calasiao and Dagupan.
Romero also noted that the overflow from Angalacan River washed out a big dike northeast of Sison’s proper.
Speaking at the “Engkwentro” forum of the Pangasinan Press Club last week, Romero said his fellow mayors of the affected towns have asked the DPWH to give the Sison earth dike a Gabion-type embankment and rip-rapping in order to withstand the onslaught of rampaging floodwater from upstream.
He said without these structures, his town and the adjacent areas continue to be threatened by disastrous flooding.
IMPACT
The flood on October 9 last year, which left Mangaldan submerged for days, drowned several people and about 100 cattle.
Romero said the government should prioritize their request because other infrastructure developments in the affected towns will be rendered useless if flooding again hits them.
The dike, originally built through the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) of former Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr., was repaired in June this year from funds extended by the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC).
De Venecia, former congressman of the Fourth District, called the earth dikes in Sison and Mangaldan the first and second lines of defense of Dagupan City against flood originating from the Bued River.
The Mangaldan dike, which has an earth embankment and was recently rehabilitated, is prone to collapse if there will be a repeat of last year’s flood, said Romero.-LM
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