DETOUR. A detour road built by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in Mahaplag, Leyte early Monday (Dec. 21, 2020) after a major road cut on Saturday (Dec. 20, 2020) due to heavy rains. The DPWH has reported damage to six roads and bridges in Eastern Visayas caused by Tropical Depression Vicky. (Photo courtesy of DPWH)
TACLOBAN CITY – The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) on Monday reported damage to six roads and bridges in Eastern Visayas after Tropical Depression Vicky dumped heavy rains in the region over the weekend.
Those damaged were a scoured slope protection of Marabong Bridge in Burauen, Leyte; the approach of Layog Bridge in Mahaplag, Leyte; road slip in Balinsasayao village in Abuyog, Leyte; road cut along a major highway in Cuatro de Agosto village in Mahaplag, Leyte; the washed-out Panalian Bridge in Silago, Southern Leyte; and road slip in Tubod village, also in Silago town.
In a situational report sent to the Philippine News Agency, the DPWH maintenance division said personnel have been working 24/7 to make the damaged roads and bridges passable and build detours.
The most affected road section is in Mahaplag town where a portion was completely washed out due to an estimated 42,700-cubic meter road cut. The erosion killed two elderlies on Saturday dawn.
The road section is within a major highway that connects this city to the western part of Leyte and the southern part of Leyte province. The road portion also forms part of the highway that links Luzon, Eastern Visayas, and Mindanao.
“The DPWH built a detour road and was completed early on Monday. The detour is only passable to light vehicles. Trailer type and cargo type vehicles are advised to take the Palo-Carigara-Ormoc road,” the report added.
In Panalian Bridge, workers started building the detour bridge on Monday as the weather improved. Mindanao-bound motorists heading to Liloan and San Ricardo ports are advised to take alternative routes.
The rest of the damaged infrastructures have been passable either on one or both lanes as of Monday morning.
The report said the DPWH has yet to come up with the cost of damage since the full assessment is still ongoing. (PNA)
