Regular fund of district offices can take care of minor earthquake damages – DPWH8

By Erlinda Olivia P. Tiu

Monday 3rd of September 2012

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, Sept 3 (PIA) -- The regular maintenance funds of district engineering offices can take care of the minor damages to infrastructure brought about by the intensity 7 earthquake that jolted Eastern Visayas on the evening of August 31.

This was disclosed by Department of Public Works and Highways Region 8 Director Rolando Asis who said the DPWH, in coordination with the Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers (PICE), continues to conduct rapid assessment of all buildings in the region.

As of September 2, no major damage on roads and bridges along the national roads in Eastern Visayas had been reported, Asis told the Philippine Information Agency.

On September 1, Asis personally held an ocular inspection in Samar provinces on the effects of the strong earthquake. Also on hand during the inspection was Associate Sec Dimas S. Soguilon.

In Eastern Samar, minor cracks were observed in Sulat Bridge but it continues to be passable to commuters. Minor cracks were reported at the PCCP road at Barangay del Remedio in Sulat but it remains passable.

The Buyayawan Bridge in Mercedes, Eastern Samar was partially damaged and only one lane is passable to light vehicles.

Meanwhile, Layug Bridge in San Julian, Eastern Samar was also partially damaged.

The DPWH said the bridge is undergoing reconstruction so it has a detour that is passable, contrary to the news that both approaches of the bridge are not passable. Even before the earthquake, the bridge was already being reconstructed; hence there is an existing detour that is being utilized by the motorists.

In Northern Samar, transverse cracks on asphalt pavement and settlement of asphalt pavements occurred at Kilometer 0681+K000 to Kilometer 0684+000 along the San Isidro-Allen Section; and Kilometer 682 –Kilometer 684 along San Isidro-Caglanipao Section.

Moreover, cracks on piles and girders were seen at the Calbayog-Catarman Road particularly the Maroyondoyon and Caglangkoy Bridge in Catarman, Northern Samar.

Rapid assessment of the national roads and bridges was also conducted in Southern Leyte and so far, the result showed minimal damage limited to transverse cracks on road carriageways.

Some road sections with previous road slides worsened to some degree threatening a road cut-off that may ensue any time.

Southern Leyte District Engineer Carlos Veloso said among the effects of the earthquake are shattered pavements observed along the Liloan-San Ricardo National Road particularly at the Son-ok road section; major transverse cracks through the full width of the Habay road section of the Liloan-San Ricardo National Road; and collapsed pavement with subgrade settlement at the Himayangan-Silago National Road particularly at the Hindag-an Road Section.

Also among the damages are the collapsed pavement at the boundary of Silago- Abuyog road section particularly at Kilometer 1005+200; collapsed road shoulder and damaged erosion control structure at Kilometer 1007+400 of the Silago-Abuyog road section; and previous roadslip/slide worsened at the Liloan- San Ricardo National Road particularly at the Sudmon section. (EOT/PIA8)