DPWH rushing repair of roads affected by Abra quake

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is rushing the repair of roads that were damaged by the magnitude 7 earthquake in Abra last week.

Interviewed on Super Radyo dzBB, DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan said that only two roads in Region 1 and the Cordillera Administrative Region were still being repaired.

“Sa 21 national road sections, 'yung national primary at secondary roads sa CAR at Region 1, dalawa na lang ang kinukumpuni hanggang ngayon,” Bonoan said.

(Of the 21 national road sections, the national primary and secondary roads in the CAR and Region 1, two are currently being repaired.)

“Patuloy na kinukumpuni ang Tagudin-Cervantes Road at Halsema Highway. Ang timetable, siguro mamayang hapon, madaanan na ito kahit one lane lang… Our roads were cleared yesterday including the 3 roads to Baguio,” he added.

(The repairs on the Tagudin-Cervantes Road and Halsema Highway are continuing. Based on the timetable, they may be passable by this afternoon, even if it's just one lane. Our roads were cleared yesterday including the 3 roads to Baguio.)

He, however, said they were closing Kennon Road to traffic for safety reasons amid the rains.

Also, the DPWH chief assured the public that all bridges, particularly in northern Luzon were still intact.

“Dito sa mga daan namin, bihira naman ang mga nag-crack… hindi naman extensive ang damage sa national road. Mayroon lang isang tulay na ‘yung approach slab ay medyo bumuka ng kaunti pero madali naman itong makukumpuni,” Bonoan said.

(Our roads rarely crack open. The damage to the national road is not extensive. An approach slab to one bridge opened a little, but it can be easily repaired.)

As of 6 a.m. on July 29, the DPWH said the partial cost of road damage was P396.58 million.

Broken down, damage to national roads in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), and Regions I and II came to P104.53 million, while damage to national bridges was valued at P292.05 million.

Hospitals, historical sites

Meanwhile, Bonoan said President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. ordered them to assess other public buildings such as schools and hospitals.

He noted that the use of at least one to two hospitals in Abra was still restricted.

“So far, sa lahat ng mga ospital na tinignan namin, I think mayroon isa o dalawa na medyo ni-restrict muna namin ang pagpasok ng tao sa loob, all extensive technical assessment for the time being… Dalawa lang dito sa may Abra,” he said.

(So far, of all the hospitals that we have looked at, I think there are one or two in Abra that we have restricted entry. They are being given an extensive technical assessment for the time being.)

Asked about the restoration of historical sites that suffered considerable damage from the quake, Bonoan said they are still coordinating with the National Historical Commission of the Philippines for rehabilitation.

Among the damaged sites were Vigan's Calle Crisologo houses, the Bantay and Laoag bell towers, the Sarrat Church, Vigan Cathedral, and the Sarrat heritage municipal hall.

The earthquake hit Tayum, Abra on July 20, causing landslides and damaging structures in many parts of Northern Luzon. — DVM, GMA News