CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) initially pegged the cost of damage to public infrastructure here at P200 million, while the Department of Agriculture (DA) estimated a P50-million damage brought on agriculture by the magnitude 6.1 earthquake that struck Luzon Monday, April 22.
DPWH Secretary Mark Villar had inspected parts of damaged roads and bridges in Pampanga on Tuesday. He also ordered the DPWH to come up with a consolidated report on the damage.
The agency has yet to come up with a final report on the worth of damage caused by the quake.
Villar said the agency will fast-track the repair and rehabilitation of the infrastructure facilities to make them available to traffic as early as possible.
“So far, hindi naman major iyong mga damage na na-incur ng mga infrastructure, so possible na ma-open din ito by the end of the day but of course, we have to properly assess first kasi ang priority natin ay safety ng mga motorists,” he said.
Among the places massively hit by the quake are Clark International Airport, Porac (Chuzon Supermarket collapsed), Lubao (road damaged and Sasmuan-Lubao bridge - passable to light vehicles only), Dinalupihan (collapsed Dinalupihan-Pampanga Boundary Arch), Bacolor (Megadike Access Roads, which is closed from Dolores to Calibutbut/Maliwalo in Bacolor, Pampanga), and Floridablanca (Floridablanca Consuelo Bridge).
Meanwhile, Agriculture Secretary Manny Piñol, in his report to President Rodrigo Duterte at the Pampanga Provincial Capitol, said the agriculture sector sustained some P50 million in damages to irrigation systems and canals in Central Luzon.
“But this will not affect our target production for this year,” he added, stressing that the DA will implement all necessary measures to address the damages and bring water canals back into working condition.
Because of the extent of damage, the second district of Pampanga was placed under a state of calamity. This will expedite the release of calamity funds that will be used for rescue and relief efforts.
The National Irrigation Commission (NIA), meanwhile, reported a damage to several dams in Central Luzon amounting to some P50 million.
In its situational report to Duterte on Tuesday afternoon, April 23, Piñol said five dams in the region have incurred damages due to the tremor.
In Pampanga, the Cong Dadong Dam in Arayat showed progressing cracks at its left retaining wall and horizontal movement at three mid span Pier with an estimated cost of P20 million for its immediate repair.
The portion of the main canal of Balsik Dam in Hermosa, Bataan also reportedly collapsed with estimated cost of repair at P5 million, while cracks on the footbridge of Mangindong Dam in Dinalupihan, Bataan were also seen with estimated cost of repair of P10 million.
Two irrigation systems in Zambales were also affected by the earthquake.
The Bucao Intake in Bucao town incurred a P10-million damage after its intake barrel showed cracks, while a P5-million damage was reported in San Pablo CIS’ diversion dam in Castillejos due to the cracks in its retaining walls.
Piñol said the NIA, which is an attached agency of DA, will be implementing immediate repair activities on the said affected dams to ensure that their safety while continuing to serve their respective purposes.