Poaching of riprap stones worries Talisay engineer

CEBU, Philippines - The city engineer of Talisay is worried about the reported stealing of the stones used in the riprap at Sitio Gawad Kalinga in Barangay Lawaan II.

Engineer Gamaliel Vicente Jr. said because of a private spillway project, the stones from the damaged riprap have been stolen. He suggested that the riprap should be repaired immediately to prevent further damage.

Mayor Eduardo Gullas wants Marciano Parba, owner of the spillway, to repair the damage his project had caused to the riprap. The city government has already ordered the demolition of the spillway.

Vicente said the spillway should be demolished as soon as possible before all the stones from the riprap will be gone.

“Nabalaka ko kay nakadungog ko’g reports nga naay sige og kawat sa bato matag gabii. Nahawan naman didto. Mahal ug special nang batoha, bolders ang tawag ana, dili na ordinaryo kay designed na para buhat sa riprap,” Vicente said.

The Department of Public Works and Highways is also having difficulty sending heavy equipment to demolish the spillway because of the narrow access.

Engineer Lesly Anthony Molina, head of the DPWH-second engineering district, however, said they are doing everything possible to send equipment to the area.

“Ang among action kay gikabkaban ang spillway para makaagi ang tubig, dili man sad madali kung mga tawo lang ang moguba, ang backhoe ra gyud ang among problema asa agion,” he said.

Gullas had already instructed Vicente and Molina to prioritize the demolition of the spillway. —/FPL (FREEMAN)