Breaches in a dike have placed a barangay in EB Magalona town in danger of losing about 250 houses to constant flooding, its barangay captain warned yesterday.

Barangay Captain Andrito Malunes said the a small portion of the dike in the fishpond of Boy Gamboa in Barangay Tomongtong broke on Dec. 16 but on New Year's Day heavy flooding was noted in the barangay during high tide. This led to the discovery that there were more and larger breaches in the 700 meter dike that had been keeping the water from the sea out of the barangay, he said.

The flooding of about 60 percent of the barangay during high tide endangers about 250 homes occupied by about 2,000 residents, he said.

Malunes said he has sought the help of the provincial government on the repair of the dike, which has been assessed to cost P5 million.

Gov. Joseph Marañon said verification is being undertaken on whether the provincial government can spend government funds to repair the dike on a private fishpond. Since the fishpond owner only has lease hold rights to the area the owner of the dike is still the government so as soon as it is confirmed that we area allowed to do so, we will release the funds, he said.

EB Magalona Mayor Alfonso Gamboa said the magnitude of the problem cannot be addressed overnight, pointing out that the dike breached in seven different parts. He said he has suggested that the barangay officials declare Tomongtong a calamity area and has called for a dialog with residents to hear their concerns and suggestions so they can come up with permanent solutions to the problem.

He said the houses in the barangay are built on a tidal flat, which means without the dike it naturally is covered with water during high tide and is dry during low tide.

There have been many proposals on how to resolve the problem such as walling off the barangay but it would also mean that while it will be able to prevent water coming in from the sea, water from the back area will not be able to exit, he said.*CPG

back to top