CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)-Central Luzon was recognized by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) for its quick response efforts during the aftermath of magnitude 6.1 earthquake that struck Central Luzon recently.

NDRRMC Secretary Delfin Lorenzana personally acknowledged the active participation of DPWH-Central Luzon on the Search, Rescue and Retrieval (SRR) operations at the Chuzon Supermarket, which collapsed seconds after the tremor on April 22.

DPWH Secretary Mark Villar, together with Assistant Secretary Eugenio Pipo Jr. and Central Luzon Regional Director Roseller Tolentino, personally rushed to the Chuzon Supermarket in Porac town on April 23, just about 15 hours after the earthquake, to lead the inspection and assist on the SSR operations.

DPWH officials also inspected the St. Catherine Church and Consuelo Bridge in Floridablanca and the rest of the earthquake-damaged infrastructure in Pampanga for immediate assessment.

Villar ordered Tolentino for the rapid repair and assessment of damaged infrastructure, which resulted in restoration of Consuelo bridge on the same day, and reopening of the east lateral megadike in Bacolor and Sasmuan-Lubao road after two days.

Through the assistance of the DPWH, the SRR and clearing operations at the collapsed Chuzon Supermarket building ended within a week as declared by local officials.