Riprap collapses in Marikina

MANILA, Philippines – Two families were left homeless after a riprap project of the Department of public works and Highways (DPWH) collapsed at dawn yesterday in Marikina City.

The structure gave way after days of heavy rains, officials said.

The families composed of 12 people were told to evacuate their homes at 2:50 a.m. shortly before the riprap collapsed.

Mayor Marcy Theodora said six more families were told to leave their houses for their safety.

The affected families are temporarily staying in houses rented by the local government for P7,000.

Theodora blamed the DPWH for the incident.

The city government has been calling the attention of the DPWH to reexamine the engineering design and quality of the riprap project.

It was the third time that the structure collapsed.

The DPWH initiated the project after Marikina was hit by Typhoon Ondoy in 2009.