MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Tuesday said that it was about time for the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to create a district office in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
During the situation briefing on the effect of Severe Tropical Storm Paeng in Maguindanao, Marcos noted many bridges that were damaged by the cyclone.
READ: All signals down as Paeng moves away; Queenie keeps strength
Based on the latest government data, six bridges are currently impassable in BARMM.
DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan said that he had ordered the regional director to “restore mobility” to the damaged bridges.
“I just instructed our regional director to team up with the project management of this to — at least for the time being — temporarily restore mobility du’n sa mga (in the) damaged bridges while we are trying to reconstruct whatever we can,” Bonoan told the president.
Marcos stressed that it was already “time” to establish a DPWH district office.
“It’s really time for you to organize a district office already. You look into it na magkaroon na ng district office para ‘yung BARMM hindi na kung saan-saan pa pupunta that they have a district office in BARMM that they can go to immediately para sa mga emergency na ganito,” the chief executive said.
(They might save time by not having to travel by setting up a district office for BARMM. Having a district office in BARMM will make it easier for them to get help quickly in times of crisis.)
Marcos also pointed out that bridges are harder to fix than roads.
The onslaught by Paeng has rendered one road in BARMM impassable.
BARMM is the region with the most fatalities due to Paeng. Of the 110 Paeng-related fatalities, 59 were in the region.
READ: Paeng death toll rises to 110 — NDRRMC
On Monday noon, Paeng left the Philippine Area of Responsibility.
READ: Paeng exits PAR; Signal No. 1 still up in most areas in Luzon