DPWH defends massive bridge rehab projects in Southern Leyte

SOGOD, Southern Leyte, March 11 (PNA) -– The Department of Public Works and Highways Southern Leyte District Engineering Office (DPWH-SLDEO) defended its massive rehabilitation projects for old-aged bridges this year, saying its part of mitigation measures.

The DPWH field office made the statement after some critics questioned through the media and social networking sites why the central government has to replace pavements of these “visually good” bridges.

“Most of these bridges have been existing since 1970s. For the public, these bridges are not defective, but from the technical point of view, these structures badly need replacement,” said District Engineer Ma. Margarita Junia in a radio interview.

For 2016, the DPWH-SLDEO is replacing 47 bridges with a budget requirement of PHP576.97 million, accounting more than a third of the PHP1.45 billion outlay this year.

These bridges are Liloan, Magaupas, Magkasag, Mayuga, Nahaong, Agogong, Awayon, Biliran, Bonbon, Caaga, Calayugan, Calian, Candatag, Canluwis, Canlupao, Cantamuac, Canumay, Casao, Concepcion, Dinahugan, Higusoan, Hilogtogan, Hipgasan, Iniguihan.

Also up for rehabilitation are bridges of Looc, Mag-ata, Mahalo, Mapait, Maslog 1, Maslog 2, Padre Burgos, Pintuyan 1, Pintuyan 2, Sagbok, San Joaquin, San Jose, San Ricardo, San Roque, San Vicente, Sangaahon, Son-ok, Sta Cruz 1, Sta. Cruz 2, Subang Daku 1, Sudmon, Timba, and Villa Jacinta.

“This is a proactive measure. We would not wait until these bridges collapse to rehabilitate it. 

Compare it to humans, it’s ideal to see a doctor before our health condition completely deteriorates,” Junia added.

The DPWH pushed for the rehabilitation of 47 bridges after it was found in the 2014 Bridge Management System (BMS) that 14 bridges were identified as bad and 22 were categorized as poor.

The BMS bridge data are annually collected based on the bridge inventory and condition surveys being conducted by the accredited bridge inspectors from the district office. The accredited regional BMS coordinators from the regional office do the supervision quality checking of the BMS bridge data.

The official assured that traffic flow will not be disrupted since the DPWH will build detours or ask motorists to take alternative routes.

Southern Leyte has 152 bridges along national roads with a combined length of more the two kilometers. The province has the most number of bridges in Eastern Visayas region. (PNA)
FFC/SQM/PR