DPWH: Crising, habagat damage tops P500M

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) on Monday reported that the combined effects of Severe Tropical Storm “Crising” (international name Wipha) and the enhanced southwest monsoon or “habagat” have caused more than P500 million worth of damage to infrastructure.

According to the DPWH, the partial cost of infrastructure damage stands at P526.81 million, with the Western Visayas and Negros Island Region incurring the most impact.

Of the total, P322.25 million was attributed to damage in flood control structures, P195.52 million in national roads, and P9.04 million in bridges.

As of Monday morning, four national road sections remain impassable:

• Apayao (Calanasan)-Ilocos Norte Road in Tanglagan, Calanasan, Apayao, due to high water elevation

• Claveria-Calanasan-Kabugao Road, Barangay Ninoy in Calanasan, Apayao, due to road cut

• Kennon Road, Camp 6 in Tuba, Benguet, due to soil collapse

• Liloy-Siocon Road, Tubongon in Baliguian, Zamboanga del Norte, due to landslide

Meanwhile, three other road sections are passable but with limited access:

• Bigaas-Plaridel Bulacan and Malolos Road, Barangay Panginay in Balagtas (Bigaa), Bulacan, due to flooding

• Bato Bridge along Amungan-Palauig-Banlog Road, Barangay Bato in Palauig, Zambales, temporarily closed as a precaution

• Diokno Highway in Batanas due to road slip

The DPWH also confirmed that 12 previously closed national road sections affected by “Crising” and “habagat” have now been reopened.