THE DEPARTMENT of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) said Monday it is undertaking 31 bridge widening projects in Region VIII worth P1.1 billion.
In a statement, Public Works Secretary Mark A. Villar said the funds are provided for in the 2021 General Appropriations Act. The works are 17 bridge-widening projects in Leyte province, seven in Southern Leyte, three in Samar province, two in Northern Samar, and two in Biliran.
All are targeted for completion within the year, Mr. Villar added.
He said that other than constructing additional lanes, retrofitting activities will also be performed on bridges in accordance with the latest DPWH design standards.
“Through this undertaking, our structures will be more resilient in the event of strong earthquakes,” Mr. Villar said.
The 31 bridges are: Abo-abo Bridge along Lemon-Leyte-Biliran Road; Canomantag Bridge along Bagahupi-Babatngon-Sta. Cruz-Barugo-Carigara Road; Bagahupi Bridge along Leyte-Samar Inter-Provincial Road; Sabang Bridge along Villaba-Palompon Road; Bogasong Bridge along Daang Maharlika, Libagon, Southern Leyte; and Himanglos Bridge along Bagahupi-Babatngon-Sta. Cruz-Barugo-Carigara Road; Pangasugan Bridge along Ormoc-Baybay-Southern Leyte Boundary Road; Cagnonoc Bridge along Ormoc-Baybay-Southern Leyte Boundary Road; Busali Bridge and Moog Bridge along Biliran Circumferential Road; Apale Bridge, Calunangan Bridge, Guinobatan Bridge, and Libas Bridge along Palompon-Isabel-Merida-Ormoc Road; Tabog Bridge, Bagalongon Bridge, Lourdes Bridge, Cawayan Bridges 1 and 2, Dakit Bridge, Mayuga Bridge, San Joaquin Bridge, Canaya Bridge, Bito Bridge, Tuburan Bridge, Peña Bridge, Manok-Manok Bridge, Caglanipao Bridge, Bayog Bridge, Caaguit-itan Bridge, and Ibarra Bridge along Daang Maharlika.
Also on Monday, the department announced the completion of its P82.97-million revetment structure project in Maddela, Quirino.
“The construction of San Pedro River Wall will improve the Cagayan River channel and safeguard lives and agricultural properties of the people of Quirino Province,” Mr. Villar said.
The revetment wall is equipped with 15-meter based gabion wires, grouted riprap provisions on steel sheet piles. Builders undertook the reinforcement of grubbing, excavation, clearing and embankment works, and installed concrete hexapods for additional support from vortices. — Arjay L. Balinbin