By John Noel E. Herrera
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)-6 needs around P1.7 billion for the repair, rehabilitation, or reconstruction of different infrastructures in Western Visayas damaged during the onslaught of Severe Tropical Storm “Paeng”.
DPWH-6 said the estimated amount for repair was based on the damage reports submitted by District Engineering Offices (DEOs) in the region, which the agency also presented during the Full Council Emergency Meeting of the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC).
Data also indicated that Antique DEO reported the biggest estimate at P497 million, followed by Iloilo First DEO (P215 million), and Negros Occidental Second DEO (P205 million).
The Paliwan Bridge in Antique province which connects the towns of Laua-an and Bugasong was one of the main bridges damaged by the storm.
A portion of the bridge collapsed due to strong water currents, making entry to and mobility in Antique restricted.
Antique Governor Rhodora Cadiao also said the province is facing shortages of fuel products and other goods as it was isolated from its neighboring provinces following the destruction of major bridges.
“We are isolated from Region 6. In the northern part of the province, the major bridge linking to the highway going to Aklan, the Paliwan bridge, was severed,” Cadiao said.
The provincial government of Antique added that boats and improvised ziplines are currently used to transport relief goods and stranded individuals across the Paliwan River.
In Iloilo province, the DPWH-6 started constructing a temporary access or bailey bridge over the Oyungan Bridge that connects the towns of Miag-ao and San Joaquin.
DPWH-6 also said that only pedestrians and motorcycles are allowed to cross the bridge in the meantime.
Meanwhile, DPWH-6 also reported that typhoon Paeng’s damage to infrastructures in Western Visayas has already reached over P150 million and the agency is “continuously sending its Quick Response Team to speed up the initial repair of some infrastructures in the region.”
Here is the list of roads and bridges damaged by typhoon Paeng in Western Visayas based on the DPWH website:
1) Iloilo-Antique Road Paliwan Bridge in Brgy. Cubay North, Bugasog and Old Ypayo Bridge in Poblacion, Patnongon, Antique due to collapsed bridge and reflected cracks between bridge abutment and approach;
2) Bugo-Gen. Fullon Road. Igmataning Bridge, K0130+(589), Sinundulan, San Remigio, Antique due to flooded carriageway and collapsed road slope protection;
3) Sibalom-Pis-anan Road (Tertiary Road) K0111+300, Brgy. Nagdayao, Sibalom, Antique due to road cut;
4) Iloilo Antique Road, Oyungan Bridge in Brgy. Oyungan, Miag-ao Iloilo due to bridge settlement, soil collapse and damaged slope protection;
5) Guimbal-Igbaras-Tubungan-Leon Road K0035+220, Brgy. Nito-an, Guimbal Iloilo due to road slip
