Soil erosion threathens Mlang bridge, houses
• 23:56 PM Mon Sep 29, 2014
2,381
By:
Williamor Magbanua
Residents view eroded portion of the river near a bridge in Mlang (Williamor Magbanua)
MLANG, North
Cotabato (Sept. 29)- Maguindanaoan
residents in Barangay Poblacion here are appealing to the Local Government Unit
(LGU) for immediate assistance to ensure homes and properties, as well as a
bridge, will be spared from calamity.
Elsie Galman
said their lives are endangered every time the Mlang River swells because some
portion of their private lands are eroding.
At least
three houses were swept by floods in our area,” Galman said.
She added that
the foundation of the steel bridge funded from the Tulay ng Pangulo” project
is also endangered of collapsing due to erosion.
If strong
floods happen the bridge will surely give way,” Galman said.
Galman
disclosed a huge portion of the family owned lot that was already gone when
floods struck, leaving at least three families homeless.
Amando Jaromay,
Mlang engineering head, a report has been submitted to the Department of Public
Works and Highways (DPWH), 1st engineering office regarding the issue.
We endorsed
the problem to concerned agencies and we are still awaiting actions,” Jaromay
said.
Mlang LGU has
also sent a letter request to the province’s lawmakers for possible assistance
or funding for flood control project to prevent soil erosion and to safeguard
the multi-million peso bridge project in the area.
Engineer
Ernesto Camposano of DPWH North Cotabato disclosed his office has no capacity
to finance the construction of a flood control project.
We don’t have
funds for the project,” Camposano said.