CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- Public works officials in Central Luzon said Tuesday that they will study the proposal of a group of quarry operators to allow trucks hauling sand and gravel from Porac town to use the western portion of the Megadike as service road.

Engineer Alfredo Tolentino, Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Central Luzon director, said they will conduct a study if the dike is strong enough to be passed by heavy equipment like quarry trucks.

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“We spent billions of pesos to construct the dike so we have to protect it,” Tolentino said.

He said the multi-billion structure was designed to contained lahar and protect several town in Pampanga from flooding.

Tolentino said they will also ask the consultant which took part in the design of the multi-billion dike if the truckers’ proposal is feasible.

“We cannot allow them to use the dike unless their proposal [stipulates] the improvement of the dike’s strength,” he said.

Mike Tapang, president of the Porac Quarry Association, met with Tolentino at the DPWH regional office Tuesday and discussed the proposal.

Tolentino bared that there were already depression in some portions of the dike caused by quarry trucks. He also mentioned to Tapang that the dike is accident-prone considering its height which ranges from seven to 12 meters.

Tapang earlier said the dike is strong enough to withstand heavy vehicles carrying large volume of quarry materials.

The City Government of Angeles decided to implement a 15-hour truck ban starting on November 16 to decongest busy intersection in Barangay Cutcut which leads to the Clark Freeport. The truck ban will be from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.

President Arroyo’s convoy was recently stuck in the area because of traffic jam.

Because of the incident, the President directed the DPWH, Philippine National Police, and other concerned government agencies to work out on the problem.

Truckers are now seeking a clearance from the DPWH in the region to use the western portion of the megadike which extends from this town to the Gapan-San Fernando-Olongapo (GSO) road in Bacolor town.

Tapang assured the DPWH that the association will shoulder the repair of the dike if it is breached because of their usage.

Tolentino set another meeting with Tapang on Monday. (Reynaldo G. Navales)