MAGPET, North Cotabato – A section of a dike at a popular tourist river stream in Barangay Bantac collapsed Sunday afternoon after massive floods surged through the area, forcing residents to evacuate.
Engr. Donald Homez, the municipal disaster risk management officer, said about 20 meters of the concrete dike along Mabato River crumbled, flooding nearby homes.
“Thirty families were immediately evacuated, with some taking refuge in safer parts of the village, while others were moved to the Regional Evacuation Center in the Poblacion area,” Homez told reporters on Monday.
At least 15 homes were completely destroyed, while 30 others sustained partial damage. Farm animals and motorcycles were also swept away by the flood, he said.
“We are conducting inspections to assess the damage and determine what further interventions are needed,” Homez said.
He added that barangay officials had noticed cracks in the dike before the incident and had reported them to the local office of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) for action.
“We’ll be coordinating with DPWH to address the situation and prevent further damage to the structure,” he said.
Since its completion before the coronavirus pandemic, the Mabato River and its dike have become a popular destination for locals and tourists. The river is known for its clear, safe waters, while the dike’s paved road doubles as a parking and photo-op area for visitors.
The province has been experiencing heavy rains due to localized thunderstorms over the past several days. (PNA)