PORAC Mayor Condralito dela Cruz on Monday, August 6, announced that some P360 million has been allocated for the repair and the construction of protective engineering on the Mancatian Bridge here to soften the regular flow of lahar from the Porac-Zambales area.

This came as the recent heavy rains from habagat had damaged portions of the protective embankments as well as part of the foundation of the Mancatian Bridge. The lahar that the waters had brought down through the Pasig-Potrero River had been strong enough to cause damage.

Dela Cruz said that traffic along the bridge is currently regulated to prevent heavy vehicles from fully using the expanse of the bridge to prevent further deterioration while repair works are to be implemented.

Dela Cruz said that the Department of Public Works had already sent heavy equipment in the area to start initial re-chanelling of the waterflow. He added that protecting the bridge is vital in keeping the eastern barangays connected with the rest of the town.

The Mancatian Bridge connects Porac-Dinalupihan road with Angeles City and is a vital facility for local commercial activity in the area. An average of 6,000 to 8,000 vehicles traverse the said bridge daily. The vehicular traffic consists mainly of jeepneys, trucks and private vehicles.

Dela Cruz said that full construction will start soon.