By Ruben A.Veloria
SAN FELIPE, Zambales– Local officials here expressed fear on Tuesday over the safety of the two municipalities along Sto. Tomas River as portions of the mega dikes have been damaged by strong current of water flowing downstream after days southwest monsoon.
The concerns of the officials were raised after Zambales Provincial Engineer Domingo Mariano, together with San Felipe Mayor Reinhard “Hart” E. Jeresano inspected mega dike’s condition in after days of heavy rain in the area.
The inspection revealed that portions of the Santo Tomas River’s (also known as San Felipe River) dike were already damaged or partly collapsed. Emergency repairs and sandbagging were immediately initiated to prevent further encroachment.
Engr. Mariano told reporters that currently the river bed is about 15 to 30 meters higher than the farmlands and the communities of San Felipe and San Narciso on the other sides of the dike.
Mariano said that these communities will be the first to hit by massive flooding if strong current continue to damage and breached portions of the megadike.
“In San Felipe the depth of the farmlands from the river bed is 15 meters, while in San Narciso side is 25-30 meters,” Mariano said, adding that should the dike ultimately gave up, a massive rush of water mixed with sand will flow into the communities destroying properties and endangering the lives of the residents.
Earlier this week, Mayor Jeresano, who conducted regular inspections of the dike since heavy rains affected the province, especially in the upper portions of Santo Tomas River, discovered that some portions of the dike were already damaged by strong downstream water current.
The mayor reported the findings to the Office of Zambales Gov. Hermogenes Ebdane Jr. and requested immediate repair and continues monitoring of the dike, especially of the damaged portions.
Provincial Engineering Office in response to Gov. Ebdane’s instruction immediately deployed several heavy equipment to the area and assured the public that repair activities have already started.
“We will continue to monitor the dikes. Early detection and assessment is crucial in this time of situation,: Mariano said.
The officials called on all municipal officials, barangay officials and residents to be more vigilant and alert for any emergency announcements.
