SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga — What started as a routine inspection of damaged flood control structures in the towns of Minalin and Sto. Tomas turned into a troubling discovery: Illegal fishponds and encroachments along the Sasmuan River that are blocking the natural flow of floodwaters.

Vice Governor Dennis “Delta” Pineda, together with Minalin Mayor Philip Naguit, led the inspection over the weekend, checking on key infrastructure like check gates and bridges that have been struggling to keep up with recent floods.

During their visit, officials found unauthorized fishponds built inside the Pasig-Potrero River — a violation that not only disrupts the water flow but also worsens the flooding in nearby communities. The structures have been reported to authorities for immediate legal action.

At Barangay Sta. Catalina, Minalin, the team discovered why the check gate had failed to control water: the floodgates had been locked, building up pressure against the slope protection and risking further damage. Pineda ordered the Provincial Engineering Office to begin repairs and adjust the water flow system as soon as possible.

Meanwhile, at the Sta. Ursula Bridge connecting Minalin and Guagua, they spotted cracks and holes on the road surface, likely caused by the constant passage of heavy machinery. Underneath, water scouring has started weakening the base of the bridge.

Pineda also visited nearby areas to scout possible sites for new check gates, which could help direct floodwaters more efficiently to Manila Bay. The aim: prevent water from pooling in rice fields, canals, and dikes across Minalin, Sto. Tomas, Bacolor and Sasmuan.

Search for landslide victim continues over in La Trinidad, Benguet, rescuers are refusing to give up hope as the search continues for a man believed to be buried in a landslide in Sitio Talingguroy, Wangal.

Since 25 July, teams have been scouring the rain-soaked soil in the area where 54-year-old Nardo Cariño went missing.

Cariño was reportedly clearing a drainage canal near his home when a portion of the mountainside gave way and buried him.

Search and retrieval teams from the Benguet Provincial and La Trinidad Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils were immediately dispatched. They were later joined by personnel from the La Trinidad police, the 50th Infantry Battalion under the 501st Infantry Division of the AFP, and local community volunteers.

To boost the operation, a K9 unit was deployed and heavy equipment, including a backhoe, was brought in to aid the search.

As of Sunday, efforts are ongoing despite the persistent rains and difficult terrain, as responders remain determined to locate Cariño.