DPWH: Wall collapse prevented drowning

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Cebu 6th District Engineering Office described the collapse of the riprap wall in Sitio Lub-ang, Barangay Casuntingan a “blessing in disguise,” noting that if the structure hadn’t given way, floodwaters could have submerged most of the houses there.

- Kristin de Dios and Jonnavie Villa/BRP

Assistant district engineer Eda de Guzman said the collapse of the wall played a significant role in preventing residents in the area from drowning, especially since the water level had already risen considerably.

“Because atong pag bigay niya sa katong wall katong pag-damage na sa iyang revetment, nigawas ang tubig somehow it’s a blessing in disguise nga na okay sila wala sila nalumos ba,” said de Guzman.

For now, the contractor, On Point Construction and Development Corp., will not immediately restore the riprap to its original state until the portion identified as the entry point of floodwaters during the August 15 incident is fully constructed.

De Guzman said an estimated volume of water equivalent to at least three Olympic-size swimming pools gushed into the area with overwhelming force.

She explained that an open space, previously used as an access road for heavy equipment in other ongoing flood control projects, redirected the floodwater behind a structure along the Butuanon River in Mandaue City. This diversion ultimately caused a 20-meter section of the project to collapse.