Wednesday, August 06, 2008 Dad says Toledo bridge ‘falling down’
A COUNCILOR yesterday said the Sapangdaku Bridge in Barangay Sangi, Toledo City may collapse anytime soon if it is not repaired soon.
Several piles are already exposed due to rampant sand and gravel extraction in the area.
City Councilor Arturo A. Mendoza, a civil engineer by profession, visited Sun.Star Cebu yesterday, bringing with him a picture of the bridge with three of its piers and columns hanging.
Mendoza gave Sun. Star Cebu a copy of Resolution 2008-106 requesting the 3rd Engineering District of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to save the bridge.
Another measure, Resolution 2008-107, was also passed by the City Council requesting Mayor Arlene Zambo to use her position under the Local Government Code to stop the extraction of sand and gravel at the Sapangdaku river bed.
This is to avoid the immediate destruction and collapse of the bridge, the resolution read.
Resolution 2008-106 also said the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (Cenro) found out that rampant extraction of sand and gravel and the flow of water caused the foundation of the bridge to be exposed.
Cenro has recommended to the Toledo City Disaster Coordinating Council that extraction of sand and gravel, upstream and downstream, must immediately stop.
Alex Ursua, chief of the Safety Division of the Mines and Geo-Sciences Bureau (MGB) said they already reported the matter to DPWH early this year, but there has been
no response yet.
Ursua said the Office of the Cebu Governor is the one issuing extraction permits to sand and gravel dealers in the province. Sapangdaku river bed is under the authority and supervision of the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (Penro).
Technical
Ursua said the report of the technical personnel on the deteriorating Sapang-daku Bridge was forwarded by MGB Director Roger A. de Dios to DPWH 7 Director Josefino N. Rigor.
Councilor Mendoza said that if the bridge will not be repaired immediately and will collapsed, Toledo City and Balamban town will be isolated from each other and the flow of goods and services in these areas will be affected. (EOB)
