Raymond calls for a state of emergency in Pulangbato

CEBU Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia joined calls for declaring a state of emergency in Barangay Pulangbato to expedite the completion of the unfinished bridge project and prevent accidents.

At a press conference on Monday, November 11, 2024, Garcia said he expects the Cebu City Council to approve the Pulangbato Barangay Council’s request to declare a state of emergency in the mountain village.

Last November 6, the Barangay Council approved a barangay resolution to the City Council calling for the declaration of a state of emergency in their barangay, including the termination of the project contractor’s contract due to the 63.98 percent negative shift.

The contract for the P24 million reinforced deck girder bridge construction project from Sitio Candarong to Tanay Road in Pulangbato has been awarded to SBD Builders. However, the project has still not been completed more than a month after the extended deadline set last September 30.

Garcia said that once the decision is approved, the allocation of funds to be used to finish the bridge could be accelerated.

He also said that the bridge should be completed as soon as possible because drivers have to use alternative routes that may cause accidents.

Garcia added that the termination of the contractor’s contract has not yet been finalized because he has not yet received the documents.

Last October 9, Garcia announced that he was considering terminating his contract with SBD Builders after visiting the area and apparently finding no workers despite delays.

During last week’s regular session, City Councilwoman Jocelyn Pesquera announced that the contract with SBD Builders was terminated due to various glitches, delays and noncompliances in the way the project was implemented.

However, Shaun Doherty, owner of SBD Builders, told SunStar Cebu that their contract was not terminated but not extended by the Department of Engineering and Public Works (DEPW).

He added that the way DEPW implemented the project was not compatible with the current situation of the region, which led to delays in construction work.

unsafe road

In a separate phone interview on Tuesday, November 12, Pulangbato Barangay Captain John Barry Miñoza told SunStar Cebu that the bridge is important not only because it connects residents of Pulangbato to Barangays Pit-os and Talamban, to the city center, but also to the city center. Residents of the neighboring mountain barangays of Guba, Agsungot, and Sirao.

Miñoza said the alternative road, a makeshift road along an unfinished bridge in the bed of the Butuanon River, poses a danger to drivers, especially during heavy rains and strong currents.

“Many motorcycle riders have already lost their balance while passing through the makeshift road, and most of them are habal-habal (motorcycle taxis),” Miñoza said.

“No fatal incident has been recorded so far; “However, we do not need to wait for an accident to take precautions,” he said.

He said most accidents resulted in minor injuries and scratches, but one motorcyclist suffered broken bones when he lost his balance.

When the alternate road is impassable, motorists and residents are forced to go to Barangay Binaliw and then to Agsungot before heading to Guba and Pulangbato.

The route not only wastes residents’ time and resources, but also exposes them to danger as landslides occur in mountain barangays during heavy downpours.

Miñoza said another makeshift pedestrian bridge also poses a risk to pedestrians crossing the street because the bamboo bridge is already showing signs of wear and tear and could soon collapse.

He told DEPW to address the concern immediately, as this pedestrian bridge serves as an access road for Pulangbato residents, including students going to the city center and schools.

Miñoza called on both the City Council and Mayor Garcia to expedite construction of the bridge.

The unfinished bridge was supposed to replace the old steel bridge, which was heavily damaged by Typhoon Odette (Rai) in December 2021, and was supposed to be completed within 240 calendar days from September 15, 2023. EHP