Another portion of the cemented slope protection dike along Romulo Boulevard has just collapsed, August 17.
According to The City Distaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) who has been monitoring the site since last week, the new damage has a length of 30 meters and was caused by soil erosion due to water turbulence underneath the slope.
The dike, in which records from the City Engineering Office disclosed that the contractor was Royal Crown Monarch, is the city government’s top priority due to the series of damages caused by the water seepage underneath the slope protection of the dike.
The Mayor’s office said they “know that the people are worried and concerned about this situation, thus, our city government is currently implementing action plans to create solutions to the increasing damage of the slope protection dike.”
As previously reported, an emergency sandbagging was conducted. However, due to the heavy rains, another sandbagging operation has to be undertaken to strengthen the breached portion.
According to Mayor Cristy, “We will continue the sandbagging but this time, maglalagay muna tayo ng malalaking tipak ng semento at konkreto sa loob ng ampaw na istraktura to stop the soil erosion which is causing the collapse. Alam ko po na first-aid lang ito at sawa na ang taong bayan sa sandbags, ako rin po, gusto ko na malagyan ng matibay na istraktura at permanenteng solusyon ang ating dike. But this is our only option for now, habang hinihintay nating masimulan ng DPWH ang bagong construction dito. This is a much better option than doing nothing to secure the lives of the residents na nakatira malapit sa lugar na ito at sa mga business establishments along our commercial area.”
The CDRRMO is doing round the clock monitoring of the situation, hand in hand with the City Engineering Office. Measures are being undertaken to assure the safety of every Tarlaquenos within the vicinity of the area./Tarlac City CIO