Vital Davao Bridge Closed To Traffic After One Foundation Collapses

DAVAO CITY (Mindanao Examiner / 12 Apr) – Public Works officials on Thursday ordered the closure of major bridge in the southern Philippine city of Davao after one of its concrete foundation collapsed.

The collapse of the bridge’s concrete post snarled traffic. It forced the evacuation of some 300 families living under the Gov. Armando Generoso Bridge in Bangkerohan district.

The cause of the collapse is still under investigation, but government engineers said the bridge is considered as one of the oldest in Davao City. It was not immediately known when the bridge was constructed.

Officials said the bridge is vital to motorists and traffic has been rerouted to a second bridge which links the city’s northern and southern part.

Public Works District Engineer Isagani Javier said they closed the bridge to ensure safety of the public. “We will start the repair of the bridge and this will cost more than P100 million,” he told the Mindanao Examiner.

Davao City Rep. Prospero Nograles said he would help look for funding to rebuild the collapsed post.

"It will probably take a year before the bridge can be fixed. We need to cooperate with the authorities to ensure that everybody is safe from accident,” Nograles said.

Bankerohan village chieftain Edgar Ibuyan said many of the people living under the bridge have been relocated to safer areas. “Everybody is cooperating with us and we cannot allow them to continue living under the bridge, not until everything is fixed,” he said. (Romy Bwaga)