(This story was produced under the Bloomberg Initiative Global Road Safety Media Fellowship implemented by the World Health Organization, Department of Transportation and VERA Files.)
OVER P2.8 billion worth of infrastructure was damaged in the Cordillera region during the onslaught of Typhoon “Ompong” in September, according to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
The typhoon destroyed P1,678,550,286.59 in roads and bridges, P1,115,621,049.17 in flood control systems and P11,300,000 worth of public buildings totaling to an overall loss of P2,805,471,335.76.
For the Benguet second district which spans 137 kilometers covering the stretch of the Halsema Highway, damage was pegged at P303,456,812.6 wreaking havoc to infrastructure in the municipalities of Mankayan, Buguias, Bakun, Kapangan, Kibungan, Tublay and Atok, all passing through the region’s most vital highway.
District Engineer Romelda Bangasan said funding from the central office for the repairs of these areas have been requested and is on the way.
The lady engineer added there are two areas in the Halsema Highway which needs immediate concern. One is the sinking section highest point area which is considered as the biggest problem now and the damage to the Pilando portion of the highway which she described to be like a roller coaster track after Typhoon Ompong.
Bangasan said the sinking section at the highest point area is a recurring problem lamenting it was cemented in 2012 but was shortly damaged. In 2016, the same area was part of a calamity project on slope protection, but in the same year, after the project, the area sank again.
She said the area was even studied and repaired by the Japan International Cooperation Agency putting in drainage and slope protection but everything failed – only for highest point.
“This year we had it tested, we are trying to arrest kung ano man ang nag cause sa sinking, we are trying to find out the cause of the sinking and solution through a geotechnical soil investigation, this will tell us why the highway is sinking and they will recommend what to do,” she added.
For the Pilando portion of the highway, the section is temporarily closed for repairs.
Bangasan said the Pilando section traces back to an old sawmill which was built over, saying this may be the cause of its sinking as it is believed to be hollow at its core.
She said the lifespan of a highway is roughly 20 years before it needs rehabilitation and the last time Halsema was rehabilitated was way back in 1994 saying it is high time to improve the highway.
The engineer said there is a P58-million budget for the repair annually of all roads in Benguet II which stretches 137 kilometers with additional funding if needed.
The DPWH official said there are road safety devices like delineators on the highway but complains of vandals pilfering the highway of safety mechanism.
“Even if we would like to put nice signs, warning signs, we just use tarp and mount on plywood, we change the signs as they are stolen,” said
DPWH–Cordillera OIC Tiburcio Canlas said before the typhoon struck, a request to have a mapping of geo-hazard sites along highways and major roads had been made to the environment department in a bid to make safer road networks.
Canlas said there had been no instance when Halsema Highway had been ordered closed as it is a vital gateway for delivery of goods and services, serving as a gateway not only to the province of Benguet but also to the Mountain province in reaching Baguio City.
Canlas added the best solution is to make a master plan for the region by geodetic engineers to assess the entire road network of the Cordilleras. (Maria Elena Catajan)