DPWH: Mindanao quake left P86-M infra damage

MANILA, Philippines — The 6.3-magnitude earthquake that shook parts of Mindanao last Wednesday (Oct. 16) damaged around P86-million worth of public infrastructure, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) reported.

Citing a report from the DPWH Regional Office 12, the agency said on Monday that while all major roads and bridges remain passable, some infrastructures were partially damaged.

DPWH said these are continuously being monitored due to the occurrence of aftershocks.

Cracks were observed on several bridges and roads such as Olandang Bridges 2 and 3 and along Midsayap-Makar Road; Malupag and Malitbug Bridges along Banisilan-Guiling Road; Arizona and Upper Panicupan Bridge along Dualing-New Panay Road; and Dualing-Baliki Silik Road in North Cotabato.

Other affected bridges include Buayan Bridge along Digos-Makar Road in Sarangani and Upper Silway Bridge along Albert Morrow Boulevard in South Cotabato, the DPWH said.

It added that barricades and warning signs were immediately installed near the reported road slip along Marbel-Markar Road and Makar Kiamba Road in South Cotabato, and Maitum-Lake Sebu Road in Sarangani.

Meanwhile, on public buildings, the Hall of Justice in Sadaan, Cotabato, incurred the most severe damage in one of its components, which would need full rehabilitation, DPWH said.

Minor cracks on the walls of Aleosan District Hospital in Dualing, Cotabato were also observed during the inspection.

School buildings that suffered damage in Mindanao include Dilangalen National High School, Southern Christian College, and Notre Dame of Midsayap College in North Cotabato, and New Isabela Elementary School, San Emmanuel National High School, and Pres Quirino National High School in Sultan Kudarat, the agency said.

The DPWH encouraged the public to immediately report to them “vulnerabilities.”

“We are encouraging each and everyone to contact our office to report vulnerabilities and request rescue operations. Together, let us address the outcomes of the tremor that jolted Mindanao,” DPWH Secretary Villar said in a statement.

The quake had claimed the lives of seven individuals including a baby, a toddler and a 7-year-old.

READ: LOOK: Aftermath of magnitude 6.3 quake in North Cotabato, nearby provinces