North Luzon roads hit by landslides, flooding opened

FORTY EIGHT of 57 roads hit by landslides and massive flooding in Northern Luzon are now passable to all types of vehicles.

Public Works Secretary Mark Villar yesterday said clearing operations on the remaining roads are ongoing.

Villar said manpower and equipment were mobilized to clear the roads in Balbalan and Tanudan towns in Kalinga, Tinoc in Ifugao and Calanasan, Apayao. 

In Cagayan Valley, a portion of the Manila North Road along Sta. Praxedes, the Sanchez Mira bridge and Cabagan-Sta. Maria overflow bridge in Isabela remain closed to motorists due to flooding, washed-out middle pier, scoured embankment protection, landslides and mudflows.

Motorists going to Sanchez Mira in Cagayan may take the Sanchez Mira bypass road while those traveling to Isabela may use Daang Maharlika via Tuguegarao City as an alternate route.

Meanwhile, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) office in Bicol said it is working on a temporary detour road for motorists passing through the damaged La Medalla Bridge in Pio Duran, Albay to facilitate disaster response in affected areas. 

Based on initial reports submitted by concerned DPWH regional offices, damage to roads, bridges, flood control and other public infrastructure facilities due to rains spawned by the northeast monsoon, tail-end of a cold front and Typhoon Tisoy is at P2.7 billion.