Steel bridge to replace washed out Matina Pangi detour bridge

THE Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Davao will put up a steel bridge as a replacement of the washed out Matina Pangi detour bridge while the construction of the Matina Pangi Bridge is still ongoing.

The Matina Pangi river overflowed last Friday evening, May 24, due to heavy rains, affecting residents and motorists in the area, aside from washing out the detour bridge.

The temporary detour bridge was already passable to pedestrians and motorists since Sunday, May 26, but a steel bridge was still put up to prevent a similar incident from happening.

DPWH Davao chief information officer Dean Ortiz said the steel bridge is expected to be placed within the next 10 days.

"Although naa gihapoy apprehensions (from residents) nga what if mausab ang baha (There are still apprehensions from residents in case another overflow will occur)," Ortiz said, adding that DPWH will immediately take action on it.

Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio also questioned the reconstruction of the bridge despite being in good condition last Saturday, May 25, during the Peace 911 anniversary in Barangay Malabog in Paquibato District.

The mayor also wanted to find out why the detour bridge was easily washed out, causing inconvenience to both residents and motorists.

Ortiz, meanwhile, said the bridge construction is part of DPWH's upgrading and widening project that costs P189 million.

"Amo nalang gi-apil og improve tong karaang tulay, since the road widening will be four lanes. Then the old bridge is only two lanes. That will defeat the purpose of the widening project kung di namo i-apil ang bridge (We decided to include the bridge in the widening project, since our road widening will make our roads four lanes, while the old bridge has two lanes. That will defeat the purpose of the widening project if we do not include the bridge)," he said.

Meanwhile, the ongoing project will affect 160 residents from Diversion Road going to the bridge. He said the bridge and the road is targeted to be completed early 2020.

Ortiz, however, said negotiations are ongoing and compensations will be given to affected residents.

The DPWH officer also said he is open to any investigation regarding the incident.

Councilor Bonifacio Militar, meanwhile, said the City Council is preparing a resolution to be filed in the 19th City Council to investigate the incident.

Although it is a national government project, Militar said the Council has the authority to investigate because "it's still the people's money."

"We'll give them due process. They did not want that to happen. We cannot control nature. When nature gets mad, no one can control it," the councilor said.