Residents have expressed concern over the damaged portion of a flood control project in Matina Gravahan, Davao City, which has not been repaired, as of this writing.

According to residents, the soil underneath the dike and the concrete pavement has eroded due to heavy rains and flooding at the Davao River.

Because of this, residents were forced to build a makeshift wooden bridge to cross the part of the dike that was damaged.

Residents, especially senior citizens, are facing challenges as they have to watch every step because with just one wrong move, they might end up falling into the river.

“Semento mani dati, na-bardown man. Delikado baya na, diha mi manggunit sa ingon-ani oh kay pugong kay simbako ma(hugno), maka-ana pa mi gamay, ana among style. Unya kung mutaob pananglitan, mudako ang tubig, parehas nako nga dili ko kabalo mulangoy, unsa nalang na,” a resident, Jackilie Aloy, said.

Based on reports, two residents have already suffered fractures in their legs and arms after they fell while crossing.

“Mas nindot gyud tong concrete gyud ang agihan. Dali-dali man pud ko mulakaw para dili mahugno,” another resident, Mimi Asero, said.

Residents said they have appealed for help repeatedly.

“Dugay naman na uy, pero wala man mi mahimo ani. Unsa may… sige naman mi og pangayo og hinabang ani uy nga atimanon ba kay parehas ani tingklase, ting-ulan napud. Murag wala may nag-aksyon,” Aloy added.

The flood control project began in 2021 and was completed in May 2023. However, there is a portion that was not concreted due to issues of the road right-of-way.

“Makita nato diha nga gap karon sa concrete is because wala nato na-implement fully ang proyekto kay dunay, nagdumili ang property owner nga pasudlon ta within the bounds of their property,” Department of Public Works and Highways-Davao (DPWH-11) Spokesperson, Dean Ortiz, said.

In January 2024, the section where the concrete pavement ended gave way. If repairs will not be made immediately, the scouring may worsen, which may also weaken the foundation of nearby houses and the dike itself.

“Gibalikan dayon sa contractor ang maong area aron ayuhon dayon siya pero unfortunately dunay resistance didto sa property owner kung asa nahimutang to ang atong pasilidad na pasudlon ang atong contractor nga ayuhon siya. Kung halimbawa tagaan lang mi og agihanan aron makatrabaho mi, then repairs can be done right away,” Ortiz added.

ACCESS

Meanwhile, the property owner said in a statement sent to GMA Regional TV One Mindanao that the family had allowed the Monolithic Construction to use their private property as access to repair the dike for more than a year.

The family even permitted the construction of bunkhouses on their land for the laborers for free. However, the property was allegedly left damaged.

Because of the experience, the family refused when the contractor requested again in August 2024 to use their property to repair the damaged section of the dike. With this, they have filed a case against the DPWH.

“As you can check in the contract between DPWH and Monolithic, there’s an P11 Million allocation to demolish the houses at the back of our property to serve as passage of their equipment and trucks.. they can use that money without passing through our property. This is a PRIVATE PROPERTY and we have the prerogative on whoever we want to grant access to it,” the property owner said.

If an agreement is reached between the property owner and DPWH, repairs will cost the government nothing because the project is still under warranty.