Flood control project in Davao City damaged just 8 months after completion

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) conducted an inspection on Wednesday of various flood control projects in Davao City, including one that was damaged just eight months after it was finished.

According to the report of GMA Regional TV’s Rgil Relator on “24 Oras,” the officials checked the damaged portion of the flood control project on the Davao River in the Matina Gravahan area.

The project was completed in May 2023, but its curved section collapsed after being hit by flood and debris just after eight months. 

Residents have to use a temporary footbridge made of bamboo and wood to cross the affected area, the report said.

The DPWH has reportedly directed its regional office to install a more permanent pedestrian steel bridge to replace the wooden structure.

The DPWH Region 11 earlier stated that they had problems with the road right-of-way, which is why it was not immediately repaired.

The recovered materials will be tested to see if their quality meets the standards.

“Dahil nga sa nasira, so, tignan natin kung ano ang cause ng pagkasira. If it has something to do with the materials na ginamit or hindi tama ‘yung timpla ng semento,” said ICI special adviser Rodolfo Azurin Jr. 

(Because it was damaged, we need to look at what the cause of the damage was. If it has something to do with the materials used or if the cement mixture was not right.) 

“I think we have to review ‘yung kontrata para sa ganun ma-determine ano ang pwede nating gagawin na sanction doon sa mga contractor as well as ‘yung mga supposedly nag-implement ng project,” he added. 

(I think we have to review the contract so that we can determine what sanctions we can impose on the contractors as well as those who supposedly implemented the project.) 

The ICI will also check other flood control projects across the country, according to the report. —Vince Angelo Ferreras/VBL, GMA Integrated News