Lawmakers urge DPWH to inspect all bridges
The House of Representatives committee on public works and highways is urging Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson to conduct a full inspection of all bridges in provinces ravaged by Typhoons “Pedring” and “Quiel” due to fears that any breakdown could isolate communities in the coming typhoons.
Camarines Sur Representative Salvio Fortuno and Camarines Norte Representative Elmer Panotes said the structural integrity of the bridges would be critical in ensuring rescue and rehabilitation efforts of any community affected by strong winds and heavy flooding.
“Typhoons in the past four years could be considered among the worst to visit the country. We could draw a number of good lessons from these storms by merely determining how the bridges built by the past three President’s fared against the strength of the typhoons,” Fortuno said.
Laguna Representative Edgar San Luis said the immediate inspection of bridges would give assurance to the provinces of uninterrupted linkage to the national government.
“Given that public safety should be a continuing concern of government, suspect bridges and similar infrastructure must be subjected to appropriate engineering tests like what they do in developed countries,” San Luis said.
Fortuno, Panotes and San Luis are members of the House committee on public works and highways.
Panotes pointed out that 1,203 modular steel bridges were built in the previous three administrations under the foreign-funded President Bridges Program (PBP) and that it was about time to conduct an inspection.
“If it turns out that these structures remain sturdy and firm, it is now safe to assume that the structural formula used by the three Presidents is best for the construction of future bridges,” Panotes said.
When the PBP was launched in 1994, the National Economic and Development Authority said the country needed 13,000 bridges to ensure interconnection of the country’s islands.
Panotes said maintaining the bridges should be part of disaster-preparedness efforts. “Nobody should be isolated during calamities. The government should always be within reach,” he said. Gil C. Cabacungan Jr.
