THE Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has started repairs on the Mancatian Bridge in Porac town in a bid to reinforce its structural integrity.
The bridge, which connects Porac-Dinalupihan road to Angeles City, has been closed to heavy traffic since March 18.
Only light vehicles will be allowed to use the structure until the repairs are completed. It is not yet clear when the repairs would be finished.
Mayor Condralito dela Cruz in August last year announced that some P360 million has been allocated for the repair and construction of protective engineering on the Mancatian Bridge to soften the regular flow of lahar from the Porac-Zambales area.
Rains from habagat, southwest monsoon, damaged portions of the protective embankments as well as part of the foundation of the Mancatian Bridge in 2018. The lahar flow that the waters had brought down through the Pasig-Potrero River had been strong enough to cause damage.
Dela Cruz said the DPWH has sent heavy equipment to the area to start initial re-channeling of the water flow.
He added that protecting the bridge is vital in keeping the eastern barangays connected with the rest of the town.
The bridge 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.