By JED MACAPAGAL and MYLA IGLESIAS
Damage sustained by the country due to tropical storm Paeng has reached P4.8 billion, combined figures from the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) showed.
DA figures showed damage to agricultural products stood at P2.74 billion while DPWH statistics revealed damage to national roads, bridges and flood-control structures has reached P2.09 billion.
According to a report from the DPWH Bureau of Maintenance, the total cost of damage, subject to field validation, on national roads stood at P917.80 million; national bridges, P523.80 million; and on flood control structures, P652.76 million.
By location, Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) had incurred P227.02 million in infrastructure damage; Ilocos Region, P58.40 million; Cagayan Valley, P61.03 million; Central Luzon, P54.50 million; Calabazon, P967.09 million; Mimaropa, P130.40 million; Bicol Region, P74.83 million; Western Visayas, P150.41 million; Central Visayas, P8 million; Eastern Visayas, P60 million; Soccsksargen, P102.68 million; and Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), P200 million.
As of November 3, DPWH said, 24 road sections in CAR, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Calabazon, Western Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Soccsksargen and BARMM are still closed to traffic due to damaged pavement/slope protection, road cut, collapsed bridge, damaged bridge approach, flooding and fallen debris, among others.
Of the total 24 road sections, 12 are located in Luzon, six in Visayas and six in Mindanao areas.
DPWH said its quick response teams are expediting the clearing operations along remaining closed roads, while ensuring warning signs and barricades are installed for the public’s safety. – Myla Iglesias
