DPWH reports P155.9 M damage in Cordi roads

By Carlito C. Dar

BAGUIO CITY -- The Department of Public Works and Highways Cordillera Regional Office reported around P155 million damage in road infrastructure from the recent  typhoons and heavy rains brought by the southwest monsoon or ‘habagat'.

According to DPWH-Cordillera Administrative Region regional director EdilbertoCarabbacan, typhoon Gener wrought around P86 million in damages while the heavy monsoon rains  aggravated the situation and caused  additional P69 million in damages.

“Generally the damages are due to landslides and road cuts, and majority of the damages were in the vulnerable areas along Halsema Highway in Benguet and several roads in Mt. Province,” Carabbacan told a media forum here.

But Carabbacan said they were ready to immediately respond  in opening affected or closed roads, as they have already identified ‘vulnerable’ roads, which are susceptible to recurring landslides during  typhoons or  heavy rains.

“The DPWH, along with some of their private contractors, immediately mobilize and position their equipment and personnel during heavy rains or when typhoon signal number one is raised over the area,” he said.

In line with this, Carabbacan appealed  for public understanding explaining though equipment and personnel are in place, there are also some constraints that they cannot maximize efficiency of their resources during continuous heavy downpour which cause landslides that may endanger their personnel and equipment.

           

He said first in their priorities was to immediately open up closed roads for the motorists to pass.          

He explained they usually do  ‘punch-thru’ operations  in big slides so vehicles could pass  while total clearing operations and repair of damaged roads come after their request for fund allocation (based on their damage report) is approved and released by the DPWH Central office.

           

The DPWH is also looking on use of other road infrastructure technology and pushing research and study on how to address concerns in vulnerable areas or roads that they have identified.