Dizon checks infrastructure in Cebu after magnitude 6.9 quake

By Ferdinand Patinio, Philippine News Agency

Among the immediate actions to be taken are the cleaning and repair of damaged roads and bridges in the province to facilitate the rapid delivery of assistance from other government agencies such as the DSWD. (File Photo: Cebu Province/Facebook)

MANILA – The government is conducting an assessment of infrastructure in Cebu after the province was struck by a 6.9 magnitude earthquake on Tuesday.

Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vicencio Dizon said President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. has instructed him and Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian to assess the situation in earthquake-hit areas, particularly in Bogo City, the epicenter of the tremor.

“We’re going to go straight to Bogo and assess the situation there. Pero, what we know is what we’ve seen on television, ‘no? So, ah, the same thing, the President said, we start with the most immediate needs of relief, clearing the roads, make sure everything is okay, and then we will just move from there,” he said in an interview.

“We have received reports that some roads are cracked. So we have to really assess first and then quickly act on them to make all roads passable. Because we need the roads to be passable for goods, relief to come in,” the DPWH chief added.

Dizon was in Masbate with the Chief Executive to assess the damage of Severe Tropical Storm Opong (international name Bualoi) which devastated the province last week.

He noted that the President ordered the agency to assess the immediate needs of residents in the area a few days after Opong hit.

Among the immediate actions to be taken are the cleaning and repair of damaged roads and bridges in the province to facilitate the rapid delivery of assistance from other government agencies such as the DSWD.

Dizon added that the DPWH’s Quick Response Team has been immediately dispatched to clean up and remove debris in areas affected by the cyclone.