Western Visayas (WV) needs more than one billion pesos to rebuild or repair its structures damaged during the onslaught of Severe Tropical Storm Paeng.
The typhoon, which triggered flooding and landslides, destroyed several roads and bridges in WV, one of the worst-hit regions in the country.
According The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH-6), the estimated reconstruction of the damaged structures would amount to about P1.7 billion.
The amount was based on damage assessment reports submitted by District Engineering Offices (DEOs) in the region.
Antique DEO accounted for the largest estimated cost of restoration amounting to P497 million, followed by Iloilo First DEO, P215 million; and Negros Occidental Second DEO, P205 million.
One of the damaged structures in the region is the Paliwan Bridge that connects the towns of Laua-an and Bugasong in Antique.
A portion of the bridge collapsed due to the strong water current Paeng, unlinking the northern and southern parts of the province.
Currently, boats and an improvised zipline are used to transport relief goods and stranded individuals across the Paliwan River.
In Iloilo, the DPWH-6 has started the installation of a bailey bridge over the Oyungan Bridge in Miag-ao town.
At present, the bridge, which connects the towns of Miagao and San Joaquin, is open only to pedestrians and motorcycles.IMT
