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| Tropical Depression "Agaton" caused P1.45 billion in damage to public infrastructure, according to DPWH Secretary Roger G. Mercado, on Wednesday, April 20, 2022. Photo: DPWH |
On Wednesday, April 20, 2022, Public Works and Highways Secretary Roger G. Mercado announced that the partial cost of damage to public infrastructure caused by the Tropical Depression "Agaton" is now P1.45 billion.
According to the most recent report from the DPWH Bureau of Maintenance, Secretary Mercado estimated that the partial cost of damage to national roads and bridges in Region 8 alone was P1.30 billion, with P1.27 billion on roads and P30 million on bridges.
Subject to field validation, DPWH Region 12 reported P6.06 million in national road damage, while Region 13 reported P118.4 million in national road damage and P27 million in bridge damage.
Meanwhile, the Department of Public Works (DPWH) has cleared and reopened 47 of the 50 affected roads in Western Visayas, Central Visayas, and Eastern Visayas.
Three (3) closed national road sections in Leyte, and Southern Leyte are still being cleared by DPWH Quick Response Teams.
According to Secretary Mercado, the remaining impassable roads severely damaged by landslides are expected to reopen by the end of April 2022.
In Southern Leyte, the Maasin City - Buenavista Bontoc - Bdry. Hilongos Road (Maasin - Bontoc) in Brgy. Lunas remains closed due to a road cut; the San Miguel - Conception - Daang Maharlika Road., K1210+415 - K1211+348 is also closed due to a hollow abutment; and the Bil-atan, San While the DPWH conducts continuous clearing operations, warning signs have been installed.
All other national road segments are passable, though 17 remain inaccessible due to road slip, landslide, damaged bridge approach, and settled foundation. —Tacloban News Update (Source: DPWH)