AT LEAST 95 linear meters of the Sta. Cruz section of the flood protection structure being constructed along the riverbank of the Rio de Grande de Pampanga collapsed Tuesday morning, June 19.
San Simon municipal engineer Benigno Bonus said he could not explain why the structure collapsed.
The structure, which also serves as flood protection barrier for low-lying barangays, is still under construction by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
Residents of the barangay were alarmed after they saw a breach in the said structure early morning of Tuesday and immediately reported it to the local government here, Bonus said.
Upon inspection, Bonus learned that the slope protection and riprap constructed on the riverbank collapsed.
The cause was unknown as of Tuesday, but Bonus suspected that the continuous rains experienced in the past days caused soil erosion which damaged the structure.
“We still cannot identify the cause that is why we called the attention of the DPWH to immediately conduct an investigation on this matter. The project is actually still ongoing and the project contractor still has a responsibility and obligation to attend to this matter,” Bonus said.
Fortunately, no household or individual were affected in the said incident since there are no houses within the area and the road is still not passable to motorists as it is still under construction, Bonus said.
Mayor Leonora Wong, for her part, demanded explanation from the DPWH on why the infrastructure suddenly collapsed while it is still ongoing construction.
“We must hear reasonable answers from the DPWH because this is an ongoing project. Imagine, the project is still ongoing and yet it is already damaged. We are using taxpayers’ money here and I just hope that they are not wasted,” she said.
She added that the DPWH must ensure the quality of work they are providing to the people, especially that lives can be put in danger with weak and easily broken infrastructure projects.
Wong, meanwhile, said that she already secured Simonians residing near the area and advised them to keep away from the damaged portion to avoid untoward incidents.
She added that she already ordered the Municipal Engineering Office and Social Welfare and Development Office to check on the situation of the residents nearby and provide necessary assistance.