A week later, riprap structure collapses

CEBU, Philippines — A week after its construction, a riprap structure in Barangay Cabadiangan, Compostela, collapsed.

Following the collapse, which buried several parked motorcycles under huge rocks, the Provincial Engineering Office (PEO) was immediately dispatched to inspect the site and to determine what went wrong.

Their inspection not only confirmed the structural failure but also highlighted the lapses in the posted project information.

Cebu Governor Pamela Baricuatro also expressed concern on the absence of crucial information in the project tarpaulin displayed at the site.

The tarp, bearing the logo of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), failed to indicate the contract cost, project timeline, or source of funds—details that the governor described as “mandatory” under government transparency and auditing rules.

Capitol's Provincial Information Officer (PIO) Ainjeliz dela Torre-Orong said the governor directed the PEO to conduct an on-the-ground inspection as soon as reports of the incident reached her office.

“Immediately after nadawat nato last Wednesday nga information nga naa’y natumpag na riprap sa Compostela, ni-offer man dayon ‘to si Gov. Pam ug atong team sa Engineering Office nga ipa-check jud dayon,” Orong told reporters.

She said that during the department head meeting, PEO chief Hector Jamora and his team presented their findings, which pointed to several irregularities, particularly in the lack of transparency on the project tarp.

“While this is a DPWH project, ang gi-question ni Gov kay, una, wala’y date started, wala’y completion date ani... Mandatory jud na siya nga dapat naa diha,” Orong explained.

She added that the absence of the project cost was another major concern, noting that under Commission on Audit (COA) regulations, contract details, budget, and sources of funds must be displayed in project signage for public knowledge.

Although the project falls under the jurisdiction of DPWH as it is located in Cebu’s 5th district, Baricuatro stressed that the provincial government has a responsibility to look into the matter, especially since the incident poses safety risks to residents.

To strengthen accountability, the Provincial Project Monitoring Committee, which was recently formed under Baricuatro’s administration—will also conduct a separate review of the project and require DPWH to explain why such crucial details were missing.

“So, the next move is to ask DPWH about the details and status of this program. Kailangan jud mo-tap sa project implementor… we will ask for an explanation,” Orong emphasized.

The riprap and road concreting project in Cabadiangan had been undertaken by Ascentia Construction Inc., according to records gathered during the inspection.

The collapse has triggered alarm among residents, not only because of the property damage but also due to fears of future accidents. — (FREEMAN)