2 DPWH teams proposed to lead Marawi infrastructure repairs

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is planning to create two teams to undertake repairs of public buildings, bridges and roads damaged by the fighting between government troops and terrorists who laid siege to Marawi City, an official said.

Khalil Sultan, district engineer of Lanao del Norte province’s first engineering district, said a DPWH team is being proposed to handle the “war zone,” while another team will take care of repairs in the “safe zone,” or areas outside the main battle area.

Sultan said their assessment showed that there was little damage in communities outside the war zone. But three important bridges — Baloi, Bayabao and Masiu — were heavily damaged after the military launched airstrikes in the main battle area to flush out terrorists.

Sultan said his office would take care of the war zone, while district engineer Rey Peter Gille of the DPWH second engineering district in Lanao del Sur province would handle the safe zone.

The DPWH has yet to finalize its plans on repairing and rehabilitating the damaged roads and bridges, since the military is still conducting clearing operations in Marawi. —Julie M. Aurelio