Cebu earthquake damage climbs to P2.5B; DPWH says rehab efforts at full speed

October 7 ------ DAMAGE to roads and bridges affected by the 6.9-magnitude earthquake that rocked Cebu on Sept. 30 has climbed up to P2.5 billion and continues to rise, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) said.

Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon said the amount is expected to increase further after assessments on schools and hospitals have been completed.

Dizon said the rehabilitation or permanent repair of assessed damaged roads and bridges and other infrastructure, including schools and hospitals, has started so they can be used again by the public. “We will do it fast,” he said, adding that the restoration and reconstruction of schools and hospitals is a priority. Dizon cited the Bogo City Provincial Hospital, which suffered major damage in its critical facilities like the emergency, operating, and delivery rooms. “The speed of response to critical needs must be given priority, as ordered by the president,” added Dizon.

Rehabilitation of Cebu is now in full speed in cooperation with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the Department of Tourism (DOT), the provincial and local government units, and the private sector, he said. Dizon said he also instructed the DPWH Central Visayas to tap the support of all contractors in Cebu and nearby areas in the repair of damaged infrastructure in northern Cebu. “A lot of teams have already arrived. Everybody is helping; the provincial government and all the mayors have contributed a lot, including the private sector,” he said.

Temporary tent cities have been set up with the support of the Philippine Red Cross for families whose houses were badly damaged or are structurally unfit. The Department of Labor and Employment also provided an initial P11 million under its Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged Workers (Tupad) program for the workers affected by the strong earthquake.

Tupad provided emergency employment to a total of 1,513 affected workers in areas that were most severely affected by the earthquake, including Cebu (862), San Remigio (163), Medellin (163), Sogod (81), Daanbantayan (81), and Bogo City (163) — the epicenter of the earthquake. Four hundred workers from the towns of Medellin and Tabogon also received their Tupad salaries, amounting to P2,004,000.

Source: manilatimes.net