Albay village flooded as portion of riprap collapsed amid Kristine onslaught

Residents of Oas, Albay, had experienced severe flooding as a portion of the riprap of a flood control project collapsed when Severe Tropical Storm Kristine wreaked havoc in October last year.

According to Mark Salazar’s report on “24 Oras” on Friday, the riprap was supposed to protect the residents from the overflowing of the Kalakran River when the tropical cyclone hit the town.

Barangay Saban captain Raul Raule said that the damage to the riprap brought chest-deep floods, adding that many houses were damaged.

“Marami, kasi yung mga nandiyan sa sitio, yung mga bahay nila gawa sa light materials. Kaya ayun ang inuuna kong ilikas,” he said.

(Many were affected because the houses there are made of light materials. That's why I prioritize evacuating them first.)

Based on the project contract posted on the Department of Public Works and Highways’ website, Richmar Construction secured the flood control project for nearly P140 million.

The local district engineering office said that the riprap was damaged by the strong water current during the onslaught of Kristine.

“Sa lakas ng tubig nung current ng tubig nung Typhoon Kristine, unti-unti na ano ‘yun na-damage. Kapag nasa side, wala naman steel bars ‘yun, parang riprap lang yung sa side namin,” said Albay 3rd district engineering office OIC Cornelio Relativo.

(With the strength of the water current during Typhoon Kristine, it was gradually damaged. When it's on the side, it doesn't have steel bars, so we only have riprap on our side.)

A look at the damaged portion showed that there were only two steel bars inside the concrete, according to the report.

“Yung taga-DPWH naman lagi namang bumibisita diyan. Ala namang hindi nila ‘yun nakita,” said Raule.

(People from the DPWH always visit there. It's not like they didn't see that.)

The project was marked as completed, however, because the local DPWH stated that the design was considered compliant.

“Wala namang deficient sa design. Okay naman sa project engineer namin. Pina-inspeksyon ko naman ‘yun,” said Relativo.

(There was nothing deficient in the design. It was okay with our project engineer. I had it inspected.)

While the flood control project was damaged in October last year, the repairs just began two weeks ago.

“Ang sabi ko, 'As soon as possible kako, i-repair niyo ‘yan.' Amenable naman yung contractor na ire-repair nila. Kaya lang, sir, bigyan niyo muna kami ng panahon, kasi yung ibang equipment namin nasa ibang lugar,” said Relativo.

(I said, "As soon as possible, repair it." The contractor was amenable to repairing it. However, they told me to give them time first, because some of their equipment is in other places.)

The contractor has been instructed to speed up the repairs, although there is currently no estimated date of completion.

“Nung magre-repair din sila, through their own expense kasi nasa warranty period pa naman ‘to,” said Relativo.

(When they do the repairs, it will be at their own expense because this is still within the warranty period.)

GMA Integrated News is trying to reach out to Richmar Construction, which is one of the top contractors in the Bicol Region with 15 flood control projects amounting to over P1 billion. — Vince Angelo Ferreras/VBL, GMA Integrated News