Residents want say on bridge being built

CEBU, Philippines - Following the flashflood that affected more than 50 houses in barangays Guadalupe and Sapangdaku, barangay officials and residents in the area want to be appraised of the ongoing construction of the bridge in their boundary.

Sapangdaku barangay captain Lorna Damalerio yesterday said they plan to write to the Department of Public Works and Highways and the contractor of the new bridge connecting the two barangays to address their concerns on flooding. She said they have certain suggestions on how the contractor can possibly prevent the rise of the water of the Sapangdaku River.

Last Saturday, residents living along the riverbank were caught unprepared by a flashflood that followed heavy rains. Residents blamed the unfinished bridge for causing it.

But Alvin Santillana, Cebu City’s Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council chief, said the bridge is not to blame but rather the residents themselves for constructing their houses along the riverbanks.

He said they should have observed the three-meter easement rule as it is normal for the river to overflow after heavy rains.

The P12-million bridge, which is a project of the DPWH, was started by Dakay Construction and Development Corp. last February. Santillana assured residents they already ordered the contractor to speed up the construction.

This bridge, which will replace the old one, will be 30 to 40 meters long and six meters wide.

Since the city government does not consider the affected families as qualified recipients for the city’s assistance, Damalerio said the barangay has prepared sacks of rice to be distributed to the families.  (FREEMAN)