Cebu City barangay expresses alarm over unfinished bridge project

Local

THE barangay council of Pulangbato l in Cebu City has urged the local government to declare a state of emergency due to safety concerns caused by significant delays in a bridge construction project.

The council expressed alarm over the unfinished project by contractor SBD Builders, which has forced motorists to use unsafe alternative routes, posing risks to both residents and commuters.

In a resolution, the barangay council called on the Cebu City government to immediately terminate the contract with SBD Builders for constructing the reinforced deck girder bridge connecting Sitio Candarong and Tanay Road.

Originally scheduled for completion by May 2024, the bridge has only reached 36.02 percent progress, resulting in a negative slippage of 63.98 percent. Despite receiving a 60-day extension, the contractor missed the revised deadline of September 30, 2024.

Barangay officials highlighted that the delays have forced vehicles onto unsafe, makeshift routes, increasing the risk of accidents and exposing the community to dangerous conditions.

The council emphasized the urgency of addressing these risks.

"The continued use of these alternative routes increases the likelihood of accidents and exposes the community to hazardous conditions, which necessitate urgent action to mitigate risk and restore safe transportation options," the resolution stated.

Cebu City Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia visited the site on October 9, 2024, and confirmed the delays, noting the absence of workers despite the significant setbacks.

He said that he was reviewing the termination of the P24-million contract with SBD Builders.

Garcia also emphasized the need to resolve the situation quickly to ensure public safety and complete the bridge.

During the City Council's regular session on October 9, Councilor Jocelyn Pesquera confirmed that the contract with SBD Builders had already been terminated due to the contractor's failure to adhere to the project's plans.

She noted that the implementation had deviated from the agreed specifications, prompting the cancellation.

Pesquera also said that a reputable contractor would now take over to ensure timely completion.

Councilor Nestor Archival Sr. supported the resolution and called for an executive session to discuss the issue further.

He suggested that if the problem lay with the project plans, the contractor should not be fully blamed.(MyTVCebu)