Close to P100M damage on roads in 3 regions by TS ‘Mario’

Vehicles of different types move bumper-to-bumper along Osmena Highway in Makati City due to floodwater caused by heavy rains spawned by tropical storm “Mario” on Friday (Sept. 19, 2014). (PNA photo by Avito C. Dalan)

MANILA — Close to Php100 million was the estimated cost of damage on roads in three regions in the country by Tropical Storm (TS) “Mario”, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) said on Saturday.

Based on the partial report of the DPWH-Bureau of Maintenance, as of September 20, 2014, 2:00 P.M., a total of Php91.10 million worth of roads were damaged by the storm.

The biggest damage was recorded in Region III at Php56.60 million, followed by Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) at Php31.50 million, and Region I at Php3 million.

On the other hand, the DPWH reported that 26 road sections are still closed to traffic due to washed out/damaged detour roads, landslides and flood waters.

The affected road sections are: one in the National Capital Region (NCR), seven in CAR, nine in Region I, five in Region III, one in Region IV-A, one in Region IV-B and two in Region V.

The road in NCR is the M.H. Del Pilar, Valenzuela City, Arkong Bato to Polo Br. and Polo Br. to Malanday, Valenzuela while the seven roads in CAR are: Abra-Ilocos Sur Road (Abra); Kennon Road, Benguet-Vizcaya Rd., Guisset Section, and Bokod Kabayan Rd., Bila Section (Benguet I); Baguio-Bontoc Rd., Pakpakitan Section (Benguet II); Quirino Highway (Baguio-Bauang Rd.), Irisan Section (Baguio City) and Banaue-Mayoyao Road, Kinakin Section (Ifugao II).

The impassable roads in Region I are: Manila North Road, Tabbog Br. (Ilocos Norte II); Manila North Road, Narvacan Jct., Manila North Road (MNR), Maynganay, Sta. Maria Town Proper, Manila North Road (MNR), Candon City (Ilocos Sur II); Luna Bangar Rd. (La Union I); Bauang-Baguio City Road Ribsuan Bridge (La Union II); Pangasinan-Tarlac Road, Quiray Bridge, Aguilar, Pangasinan (Pangasinan II); Urdaneta Jct.-Dagupan Road (Pangasinan III) and Camiling-Wawa-Bayambang Malasiqui-Sta. Barbara Road, Sapang Bridge (Pangasinan IV).

The roads in Region III are: Nueva Ecija-Pangasinan Road, Brgy. Sabit Cuyapo, Nueva Ecija and Munoz-Lupao Road (Nueva Ecija I); Bigaa Plaridel Road, Panginay, Balagtas (Bulacan I); Baliwag-Candaba-Sta. Ana Road, Brgy. Paralaya, Candaba and Candaba-San Miguel Rd. (Pampanga I).

The other road sections that are still closed to traffic are: Bauan Mabini Road, Batangas II, (Region IV-A); Pola Spillway, Brgy. Barahan, Sta Cruz, Occidental Mindoro (Region IV-B); Daang Maharlika, Cabuluan Detour Bridge, Sta. Elena, Camarines Norte; and Jct. Panganiban-Saloyon Road, Mosocbosoc Br., Brgy Sablayan, Caramoran, Catanduanes (Region V).

The DPWH reported that Temporary Foot Bridges were constructed for the reported washed out detour roads in Nueva Ecija, Region III.

They already deployed crew for declogging and installation of warning signs in flooded road sections.

Likewise, manpower and equipment were deployed in the areas for clearing and response operations.