Ilocos’ damaged dikes

LAOAG CITY, Ilocos Norte — Gov. Imee Marcos sought the help of the national government for the replacement of damaged dike systems particularly the Madongan Dam in Solsona town and the Sabo Dam in Nueva Era, which reeled from the effects of typhoon ‘Ineng’ recently. A Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management and Resiliency Council (PDRRMRC) report showed that the estimated cost of damage caused by “Ineng” to river/flood control facilities reached R2.6 billion. Marcos was joined in an aerial inspection of the damaged facilities by Japan International Cooperation Agency’s (JICA) Misaki Kawaguchi and Takeshi Muronaga, Engr. Gil Iturralde of the Flood Management Control Management Cluster DPWH; and Engineer Glen Reyes of DPWH Ilocos Norte. The aerial survey showed that the dike systems were severely damaged and affected by sedimentation. Marcos said that the provincial government and JICA, together with concerned agencies, plan to redesign the Sabo Dam in order to avoid any adverse impact of severe floods in the future. (Freddie G. Lazaro)