The dikes spanning several villages in Obando, Bulacan that were damaged due to intense water pressure brought about by high tide will be replaced by sturdier and permanent structures by next year.
This was the assurance given by engineer Glenn Reyes, head of the Bulacan Provincial Engineering Office, in a telephone interview on Tuesday, June 21.
Reyes said the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is set to install the permanent structures in the place of the the collapsed dikes in Barangays Panghulo, Tawiran, Paco, and Lawa, all in Obando, Bulacan.
He added that the ongoing repair of the dikes is just temporary as floodwater continues to inundate the area. The dikes will be replaced by a strong structure that will provisionally stop the flooding in the villages.
The affected residents were advised to stay home to prevent them from catching water-borne diseases.
The breaching of the dikes had also resulted in higher transportation fares.
Engineer Elpedio Jesus Avena said that as soon as the steel floodgate which was donated by the Valenzuela City government is installed, the flooding will subside.
Avena said that since the dike located in the boundaries of Valenzuela along the Meycauyan River collapsed, the Obando government immediately coordinated with the neighboring City of Valenzuela in closing the dike.
He said for almost three weeks, work on the dikes' closure had been ongoing but the high pressure of water caused the adjacent dike to collapse.
The flooding was aggravated by the breakdown of a floodgate in Barangay Lawa which was swept away by the strong water current.