EDITORIAL: Destruction

In the mid-90s, the FVR Megadike saved the whole province from being buried whole under tons of volcanic debris. It was, to say the least, the pinnacle of defense Pampanga had against lahar. After its completion, the Kapampangan region regained its composure, which was almost obliterated for good with just one big blow of Mother Nature.

The construction of the megadike, though, did not come without a price. To build the structure required the government billions of pesos and the sacrifice of several villages in the town of Bacolor to ensure that lahar did not flow further beyond the once known as “Athens of Pampanga.”

Through the years, the megadike stood the weather and persistent strong water current each time heavy rains visited the areas around the Mount Pinatubo area. Moreover, its east lateral embankment had been converted into an alternate route to Porac and Angeles City.

With its original purpose nearly forgotten, some enterprising individuals have abused the megadike, doing almost everything they desire at the expense of destroying the entire structure.

Recent discoveries of blatant destruction of the multi-billion structure only to allow access to the megadike are only part of how some people have disregarded its integrity for future calamities.

What’s bothering is that some residents have already constructed their houses inside the megadike without consulting authorities on possible lahar-flow in the future.

Overloaded trucks, too, are causing significant damage to the dike, which was not designed to handle vibrations and pressure created by huge quarry trucks.

The provincial government is in the right track of acting proactively in this problem, which was not given due attention by past administrations.

If this problem would persist, we could kiss this meaningful investment goodbye and say hello to possible disasters which we have averted in the past.

That is risking millions of lives and properties for the benefit of few lucky individuals.