13 Bohol bridges ‘impassable’ – DPWH

MAJOR roads and bridges in Bohol that were severely damaged by the 7.2 magnitude earthquake that hit the Central Visayas province last Tuesday “have remained impassable to vehicular traffic,” the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) said.

Damage to public infrastructure was estimated at P75.15 million.

The DPWH in Central Visayas identified the following roads in the island-province as impassable: Tagbilaran North; Tagbilaran East; 1Cortes-Balilihan-Catigbian-Macaas; and Loay Interior.

DPWH 7 Regional Director Ador Canlas said that “aside from cracks, settlement of asphalt and concrete pavements, as well as slips, landslides also made the roads impassable.”

Three of the 13 bridges totally collapsed — the Abatan and the Moalong bridges along Tagbilaran North Road, and the Tagbuare bridge along Tagbilaran East Road.

The other quake-damaged bridges, also impassable are the Camayaan in Cortes town; Tultogan in Calape; Tagbuane in Albur; Hunan in Buenavista; Palo, Hinawanan, Bonkokan, Banban, and Panangatan, all along the Tagbilaran East Road; and Agape in Loay,

Canlas confirmed published reports that six churches in the province “also received the brunt of the earthquake,” noting heavy damage on the structures of the Cortes, Baclayon, Maribojoc, Loon, Dauis, and Looc churches.

A flood control structure on the Tagbilaran East Road was “destroyed,” he also reported.

Price hike

In some parts of Bohol province, the price of gasoline has almost doubled to P85-P90 a liter.

The inflated price was reported by a resident in Buenavista town who purchased gasoline at P85 a liter.

Ahmed Cuizon, regional director of the Land Transportation and Franchising Regulatory Board (LTFRB), said that based on agency monitoring gas prices in Tagbilaran City and neighboring towns remain normal.

However, in distant places, especially areas isolated by damaged roads and bridges, gas stations are forced to shorted their hours to a few hours a day. This has reportedly given rise to exorbitant gas prices among vendors selling bottled fuel who are taking advantage of the situation.

“We urge public utility vehicle operators to get fuel only from gas stations and not from illegal sources. We are reminding them that overcharging of fares is against the law,” he said.

He added it was “unthinkable at a time when people are already suffering from the ill-effects of the earthquake.”

Cuizon said those caught exploiting passengers by overcharging will be penalized.

Due to the Oct. 14 earthquake, the LTFRB 7 announced it would be “flexible” about travel line and will allow PUVs to cater to passengers outside of their regular routes without applying for a special permit.

But “it does not allow them to take advantage of the people’s misery,” said Cuizon.  /with Inquirer reports