DPWH assures release of funds for quake-hit infra rehab

TACLOBAN CITY, Aug. 8  -- The central government is committed to provide an estimated PHP309.79 million funds to rebuild infrastructures damaged by the magnitude 6.5 earthquake that rattled Leyte province last month, said a top official of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) on Tuesday. 

DPWH Eastern Visayas Regional Director Edgar Tabacon submitted the detailed damage reports and program of works to their central office for rebuilding of roads, bridges, and government buildings.

“The government is committed although this is less priority compared to the rebuilding of Marawi City. We have to repair these infrastructures to prevent further damages and ensure public safety,”  said Tabacon.

The official is optimistic that rehabilitation funds will be released within the year or early next year.

“If the funds are available, we are going to start the rehabilitation immediately.”

The DPWH reported that nearly five kilometres of national roads were destroyed by the powerful quake. Also damaged are 15 national bridges, a DPWH building, 40 school buildings, six other public buildings, two hospitals, and two local government buildings.

Of the PHP309.79 million worth of damages, PHP155.44 million was incurred by DPWH infrastructure projects and PHP154.35 million by other government-owned buildings. Most of these were reported in Ormoc City and nearby Kananga town.

The damage report is based on the assessment conducted by DPWH personnel within a week after the ground shaking.

The July 6, 2017 earthquake has killed at least three people and injured 310 others. Several aftershocks rocked the province in nearly two weeks. The strongest was magnitude 5.8 that injured 78 people, according to the Office of the Civil Defense.

Most aftershocks had its epicenter in Ormoc City and nearby Kananga town, the two most affected areas.

These areas are located within the Central Leyte Fault line stretching from Villalon village in Calubian, Leyte and ends in San Francisco, Southern Leyte. The active fault line forms part of the 1,200-kilometer long Philippine Fault Zone, which extends throughout the country. (Sarwell Q. Meniano/PNA)