Collapse of rain catch basin in Benguet feared

By Dexter A. See

TUBA, Benguet — Local officials and residents here expressed alarm over possibility the Sto. Tomas rain catch basin might collapse after huge cracks were noted on the facility.

They said that should the catchment facility collapse, it will pose a serious threat to several barangays below it.

The concern was raised by local officials who conducted an inspection on the rain basin after the recent typhoons.

They said succeeding calamities could worsen the condition of the rain catch basin.

Once the catchment basin collapses, concerned local officials warned, thousands of residents below the facility would be in danger, including their properties.

In support of the plight of concerned residents, the municipal government requested the Baguio Water District to introduce improvements and regularly maintain the nine-hectare Sto. Tomas rain basin to prevent rainwater from spilling directly over to the fragile mountain slopes during heavy rains which could cause landslides.

The Sto. Tomas rain basin serves as one of the major sources of water being supplied to almost one-third of the population of Baguio City.

The local government’s inspection of the rain catchment basin was its initial action to determine if the facility was to blame for the avalanche of floodwater and mudflow that triggered a landslide.