CEBU, Philippines - To address the complaints of residents from Sitio Gawad Kalinga Mananga Barangay Lawaan 2, Talisay City Mayor Eduardo Gullas said they will construct a bridge as soon as possible.
Last week, Gullas visited the area and decided to demolish the spillway, which he believes was the reason why some parts of a riprap beside it collapsed.
"Tangtangon gyud. Bombahan man unta gani," Gullas said.
He added that he instructed city engineers to plan for an appropriate structure to be constructed in the area and identify the location where it should be placed.
Last week, the city mayor together with city engineers and Department of Public Works and Highways Cebu 2nd District Engineer Leslie Anthony Molina said the spillway needs to be demolished because it already poses danger to the community.
Marciano Parba, who owns the spillway, said the collapse of the riprap has nothing to do with spillway.
He said that the city government purposely damaged the spillway, which now affects residents crossing the river.
The riprap cost around P300,000 using his own money, Parba said.
Gullas, however, is convinced after visiting the area that it should be demolished.
He said the spillway was damaged due to the strong current of water, contrary to Parba's claim.
He added that any private individual does not have the right to construct his own structure without the confirmation of the government.
"Government is needed by the poor not the rich people. Bisan og adunahan siya if he is not on a position to determine whether the best facility nga buhaton is spillway," Gullas added.
City Engineer Vicente Gamaliel said he has pieces of evidence to prove that the riprap was damaged because of the strong current of water during the flash flood last week.
He explained that due to the presence of spillway, the flow of water was directed to the riprap causing some parts of it to collapse.
"Daan na guba ang spillway, naguba tungud sa agi sa tubig naa may turbulence, nahinlas sa flow sa tubig," Gamaliel said. (FREEMAN)