Officials from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) inspected several flood control projects in Davao City on Wednesday, including a section of the Davao River project in Matina Gravahan that collapsed less than a year after completion.
According to a GMA Regional TV report, the damaged structure was finished in May 2023 but was destroyed eight months later when heavy floods and debris struck the area. The collapse has forced residents to rely on a makeshift bamboo and wooden footbridge to cross the river.
DPWH has since ordered its regional office to construct a steel pedestrian bridge as a more stable replacement. Officials earlier cited right-of-way issues as one of the reasons for the delay in permanent repairs.
Engineers have begun retrieving materials from the damaged portion to assess whether the construction met quality 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.
He also emphasized the need to examine accountability: “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.”
The ICI stated that similar inspections will be conducted on other flood control projects across the country to ensure compliance and prevent premature structural failures.
