THE Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) said that disaster recovery efforts are in full swing, under the strict order of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon said on Tuesday emergency rehabilitation of a collapsed section of a river dike in Barangay San Vicente, Abra de Ilog, Occidental Mindoro, is ongoing after it was damaged by strong river currents triggered by torrential rains.
The president, he said, ordered the agency to expedite repairs as the southwest monsoon brings heavy rainfall across large parts of the country.
”Engineering teams and heavy equipment have been deployed to stabilize the damaged dike and restore its protective function against flooding and riverbank erosion, reducing risks to nearby communities and agricultural lands,” Dizon said.
In Davao City, the DPWH has opened the temporary Callawa Bailey Bridge 2 to motorists and commuters. The work was completed in under two months. The permanent Callawa Bridge collapsed on May 19 due to severe flooding. The temporary structure now restores a vital transport link while work on a permanent replacement continues.
In Glan, Sarangani, the DPWH said it has reopened several roads blocked by landslides, noting clearing operations continue in areas affected by the southwest monsoon, intensified by Tropical Storm Inday.
Among the roads reopened to traffic are sections of the Sarangani–Davao del Sur Coastal Road in Barangay Kapatan and Sitio Nacolyael in Barangay Small Margus.
Marcos has also ordered a prompt technical assessment of Culiat Bridge II along Congressional Avenue in Quezon City, following a fire that broke out beneath it on Saturday.
Dizon said that after clearing operations in coordination with the Quezon City government were completed, temporary repairs were done on the section of the bridge where asphalt layers were damaged by heat.
A DPWH technical team, he added, is evaluating the structure for full rehabilitation. WILLIAM DEPASUPIL
