ANTIQUE — A large portion of the P200-million Camancijan Mega Dike in Barangay Camancijan, Culasi town collapsed Friday, September 26, under the onslaught of raging waters brought by Severe Tropical Storm “Opong”.
The breach sent floodwaters surging into low-lying communities already on alert by provincial authorities, raising concerns over the resilience of local flood defenses. Videos circulating on social media showed torrents of water pounding the dike, eroding nearby land, and carving a gaping hole in the embankment.
The Camancijan Mega Dike, completed in 2018 as a major flood-control project, was intended to protect riverside households from recurrent flooding along the Bacong River. The infrastructure had been hailed as a crucial climate-resilient measure following prior damage from typhoons, including Typhoon “Quinta” in 2020.
Municipal Engineer Marlon Tobla noted that heavy equipment will be required to redirect the river flow to prevent water from inundating nearby houses. Meanwhile, Culasi’s Mayor Joel Lumugdang expressed disappointment over the lack of coordination between the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the local government unit regarding the dike’s condition and maintenance.
The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) had previously warned communities of possible flooding, urging residents to prepare for evacuation. Engineers from the DPWH Antique District Engineering Office are set to inspect the site to determine whether the collapse was caused by overtopping, foundation scour, or structural weaknesses.
Antique, like much of Western Visayas, has faced repeated floods and landslides in recent years. The province was placed under state of calamity in July 2025 after storms and heavy rains caused damage worth over P600 million, affecting more than 22,000 families and destroying critical infrastructure, roads, and schools./PN
