ZAMBOANGA CITY – Over a dozen people were hurt, including two lawmakers, when a wooden bridge in one of Zamboanga City’s poor neighborhood suddenly collapsed on Thursday.
Among those hurt were Representatives Albee Benitez and Celso Lobregat, who were with their staffs; and Mayor Maria Isabelle Salazar, including representatives from the National Housing Authority (NHA). They were on their way to inspect government housing facility in Rio Hondo village when a part of the bridge collapsed.
People fell into the filthy river three meters below the bridge. Soldiers escorting the group quickly helped them. It was unknown what caused the collapsed. The group was to inspect project built by NHA contractors after many of the units showed cracks on the walls and allegations of poor quality or substandard materials used in the construction of the houses.
In 2014, government housing projects in Santa Catalina were also inspected by lawmakers due to the same construction defects. These projects were intended for residents whose houses were destroyed in 2013 during the three weeks of street fighting between Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) and security forces.
Loyal followers of MNLF chieftain Nur Misuari attacked Zamboanga in a failed rebellion that killed and wounded hundreds of people and displaced over 120,000 people. Misuari remains untouchable and is believed to be in Sulu province. (Mindanao Examiner)
Like Us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mindanaoexaminer
Follow Us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/MindanaoExamine
Read Our News on: http://www.mindanaoexaminer.com/
http://mindanaoexaminernewspaper.blogspot.com/
Share Our News
Digital Archives: http://issuu.com/mindanaoexaminernewspaper
20
