Quarry trucks banned along mega dike

BACOLOR, Pampanga, Philippines – Gov. Lilia “Baby” Pineda on Wednesday ordered the immediate banning of quarry trucks traversing along the mega dike here because of heavy damage particularly on it’s west lateral side caused by quarry trucks.

Pineda instructed Art Punzalan, chief of the provincial quarry operations to cancel quarry permits of operators in the towns of Sta. Rita and Bacolor.

Representatives from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) accompanied Pineda during the inspection, which was done in preparation for the post evaluation of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (Jica) on Aug. 1 and 2, this year.

The mega dike being used by quarry trucks in transporting their haul was badly dilapidated and should be rehabilitated immediately, said the officials of DPWH.

The governor personally inspected the west lateral mega dike and she was shocked upon seeing the breached portion located in Barangay Balas which was reportedly destroyed to open a rough road leading to a community. 

Engr. Lita Manalo of the Mt. Pinatubo Commission of the DPWH said the government will not close the breached portion of the dike but they would implement a concrete armoring of both ends to maintain the integrity of the dike.

Pineda felt bad when she saw big damage of the dike that quarry trucks made while traversing along it.