Two Pampanga officials called on Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon to take swift action on a damaged setback levee in Barangay Cupang, Arayat, warning that the compromised structure could endanger thousands of families across several municipalities.

Arayat Mayor Jeffrey Luriz and Pampanga Third District Representative Mica Gonzales raised the concern during a joint on-site inspection with other local officials and engineers from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) regional office.

The inspection followed reports of large cracks along portions of the levee in Barangay Cupang.

The DPWH Pampanga 1st District Engineering Office previously said that it is addressing the damage to the concrete slope protection and a newly constructed asphalt overlay road pavement on the levee.

According to the agency, the damage was caused by a combination of factors, including structural fatigue from heavy trucks and equipment, as well as natural factors such as rapid water flow and scouring that led to soil instability.

Luriz and Gonzales suggested the dike be repaired “by administration,” which would allow the DPWH to take direct control of the repair work.

The setback levee, located in the Barangay Cupang section of the Pampanga River, was completed in 2014 by LR Tiqui Construction at a cost of P124 million.

The project, which included slope protection with steel sheet piles along the Apalit–Arayat setback levee, has benefited thousands of families in Arayat, Sta. Ana, Mexico and Magalang, preventing major flooding in the 11 years since its completion.