The damaged Cupang Dike at Barangay Cupang in the town of Arayat threatens four areas in Pampanga.

According to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Pampanga 1st District Engineering Office (DEO), the dike is prone to a “high risk of structural failure if rehabilitation is delayed.”

An inspection conducted by the DPWH Pampanga 1st DEO noted the setback levee in the Arayat section manifested cracks 110 meters in length.

District Engineer Alfie Lejarde of the Pampanga 1st DEO noted in his report the “deterioration of the main dike is attributed to aging and gradual weakening over time.”

Lejarde said structural fatigue has become evident due to the repeated use of the damaged portion as a lay-by for trucks and heavy equipment that daily traverse the road dike.

He added that natural factors such as rapid water flow and swirling floodwater behavior that produces a whirlpool effect upon impact with the dike have caused damages such as scouring that led to oversaturation and soil instability.

"It is evident that the main road dike and concrete slope protection has been severely compromised. Immediate action is necessary to prevent further damages, especially with seasonal weather variations and fluctuating river levels," the report noted.

"Given the extent of visible damage; major cracks, soil settlement, slope protection failure, there is a high risk of structural failure."

Lejarde said the Pampanga 1st DEO was exerting its best efforts in safeguarding communities and the public and expediting the restoration plans in order to start the construction promptly.

The Arayat section of the setback levee dike was damaged on Dec. 4, which prompted the Pampanga 1st DEO to deploy a maintenance roadside team to assist the public and set up barricades along the damaged portion to prevent untoward incidents.

It said the setback levee (Arayat section) has exhibited both minor and major cracks and manifested a total of 110 linear meters of cracks in length, approximately 0.70 meters in width, and a settlement of about 0.60 meters from its original elevation.

Earlier, Arayat Mayor Jeffrey Luriz and Pampanga First District Representative Mica Gonzales appealed to Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon to take swift action on the damaged setback levee of the protective dike in Bgy. Cupang, Arayat, Pampanga, as this critical flood deterrent infrastructure could pose danger and massive damage to thousands of families in several municipalities.

Together with other municipal and provincial officials and DPWH Regional Office engineers, Mayor Luriz and Rep. Gonzales aired their concern after they conducted a joint on-site inspection with DPWH officials following reports of large cracks on portions of the setback levee in Barangay Cupang.

Mayor Luriz and Rep. Gonzales suggested the repair of the dike “by administration,” a move that will allow the DPWH to have direct oversight of the repair work.

The P124-million dike was completed by LR Tiqui Construction back in 2014, and there have been no major floodings that occurred since its completion.