00:00A 100 million peso flood mitigation project in a community in Arayat, Pampanga collapsed midway into construction in 2024.
00:09The locals or barangay residents hint on substandard materials used to blame for the collapse.
00:14But the project contractor pointed to a softening or sinking group for the debacle as our J.M. Pineda lays out in this report.
00:23Helen always felt anxious whenever heavy rains were in their area in Barangay Candating, Arayat, Pampanga.
00:29This is because the Pampanga River at the back of their house is now only inches away.
00:33And once it overflows, their community is the first to be submerged in floodwaters that rise above head level.
00:39On top of that is the possibility of a landslide at the back of their house.
00:43May pangamba kaya lang siguro dahil dati kasi malayo-layo pa yan. Malayo pa yan mga ilang pang ano.
00:51Kung susumayin mo yung layo namin dati sa ilog, isang ganito pakahaba. Mahaba pa talaga.
01:01Kaya lang, nung panahon na yun, yung baha dito, pagbababa kasi yung tubig, sumasama yung lupa.
01:11Kaya ganun na natitibag, natitibag yung lupa. Kaya lumuluwag, lumuluwag yung ilog.
01:18As a solution, she raised her house by three steps to avoid being reached by floodwater.
01:23The flood control project or slope protection built in their barangay was supposed to be a big help for Helen and the community.
01:30This serves as a barrier once the river swells, preventing water from immediately entering homes.
01:35The flood mitigation project reportedly amounting to 100 million pesos as mentioned by Senator Ping Lakson.
01:40However, was allegedly built substandard by the contractors.
01:45PTV News visited the project site and residents recounted that it already collapsed back in 2024.
01:51The remains of the Pauline barrier can still be seen.
01:54According to them, the project is spanned 110 meters, covering about 20 houses near the Pampang River.
02:00They added that a new flood mitigation project was also built in the area last year.
02:05But during its construction, the project collapsed.
02:08Actually sir, noong pong panahon na yun, noong last year na 2024, buwan ng August, aros malapit na pong matapos.
02:18Ginagawa po yung phase 1, phase 2.
02:21Ngayon, yung ginawa nilang una, noong nakaroon na taon, noong year 2023, yun nga po ang bumigay.
02:28Kaya hindi man nakaalis at hindi pa natapos ang project ng contractor sa phase 1 at phase 2,
02:34nagkaroon na pong problema yung dating ginawa nila.
02:36The contractor explained to them that the soil in the area had loosened.
02:40Ang saninang pagkaguho ng slope protection, yung ampong tubig na,
02:47kung tawagin namin dito po sa amin yun, yung seabol na nanggagali sa mga bahay-bahay,
02:54parang dahil nakasabat po sa mga sit-pile yung tubig, parang lumalambod daw po yung lupa.
02:59Kaya ganun na bumigay.
03:01The barangay chairman added that the materials used for the flood mitigation project do not appear to be substandard,
03:07since he personally monitors the project to ensure it will benefit the residents of Barangay Candatinga.
03:12Meanwhile, the Arayat LGU is planning to dig new water channels along the Pampanga River beside Barangay Candatinga.
03:19They explained this would help they bridge strong currents which are also a factor in soil erosion.
03:24We also tried to reach some representative of the contractor at the site, but they declined to grant an interview.
