By Ferdinand Patinio

IMPASSABLE. A police officer secures an impassable road due to Super Typhoon Pepito (Man-yi) in Cordillera on Monday (Nov. 18, 2024). The Department of Public Works and Highway said 12 roads remain impassable in regions hit by Pepito and two previous tropical cyclones Nika (Toraji) and Ofel (Usagi). (Photo courtesy of PIO-Baguio)

MANILA – The partial cost of infrastructure damage from three tropical cyclones that struck the country in the last eight days amounts to PHP516.73 million, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) reported on Monday.

The DPWH said the damaged roads in the Cordillera Administrative Region and Region 2 (Cagayan Valley) due to Tropical Storm Nika (international name Toraji) on Nov. 11, Typhoon Ofel (Usagi) on Nov. 14, and Pepito (Man-yi) on Nov. 17 have reached PHP170.71 million.

It also reported PHP7.24 million in damage to bridges in Cagayan Valley, and PHP338.79 million in damage to flood control structures in Regions 2 and 3 (Central Luzon.

The DPWH said as of 6 a.m. Monday, 12 road sections in CAR, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, and 5 (Bicol Region) remain impassable due to various causes.

These roads are:
–Banaue-Hungduan-Benguet Boundary Road in Tukucan, Tinoc, Ifugao due to landslide.
–Benguet-Nueva Vizcaya Road, Sitio Labas, Pito Bokod, Benguet due to soil collapse.
–Cagayan-Apayao Road, Itawes Overflow Bridge 1 and 2, Sta Barbara, Piat, Cagayan due to scoured bridge approach.
–Maharlika Highway, Barangay San Luis, Diadi, Nueva Vizcaya due to fallen trees.
–Aritao-Quirino Road, K0246+750, Nueva Vizcaya due to fallen trees.
–Bambang-Kasibu-Solano Road, Nueva Vizcaya due to fallen trees.
–Daang Maharlika-Jct. Malasin Road, Barangay Lamo, Dupax del Norte, Nueva Vizcaya due to fallen trees.
–Cordon-Aurora Bdry Road (Jct Dumabato- Aurora Bdry), Barangay Sangbay, Nagtipunan, Quirino due to flooding.
–NRJ Villa Sur-San PedroCabua-an-Ysmael Disimungal Road, Barangay Villa Sur, Maddela, Quirino due to flooding.
–Nueva Ecija- Aurora Road, Barangay Labi, Bongabon, Nueva Ecija due to flooding.
–Catanduanes Circumferencial Road, Barangay Mavil, Bagamanoc, Catanduanes, due to landslide.
–Baras – Gigmoto – Viga Road, Barangay Paniquihan section in Baras town, Barangay Sicmil section in Gigmoto town, Barangays Botinagan, Suboc, and Buenavista sections in Viga town, Catanduanes due to landslide, fallen trees and utility posts, and debris from damaged houses.

The DPWH Bureau of Maintenance also said two roads in Nueva Ecija have limited access due to flooding.

These are:
–Jct Pinagpanaan-Rizal-Pantabangan Road, Barangay Del Pilar, Rizal, Nueva Ecija, passable to heavy vehicles only.
–San Jose City-Rizal Road via Pinili-Porais-Villa Joson (Palarilla) Road, Barangay Porais and Palestina in San Jose City, Nueva Ecija, passable to heavy vehicles only. (PNA)