Damage due to floods in QC placed at P62M

More than P62 million worth of property and infrastructure in Quezon City, including roads and 10 public schools, were damaged earlier this month by floods spawned by monsoon rains.

This was the gist of a report submitted to Mayor Herbert Bautista who recently ordered an inspection of all schools in the city, especially those in flood-prone areas, to determine their structural integrity and stability.

In his report, City Engineer Joselito Cabungcal placed the total damage cost at P62,686,829.19. Specifically, the infrastructure damage to roads and drainage systems was estimated at P36,230,488.32; waterways and flood control systems at P17,556,340.87; and public establishments at P8.9 million, P3.4 million of which were public elementary and high school buildings.

Cabungcal said that the affected waterways and flood control systems included the rip-rap project at Area 5 Sitio Veterans, Kalamiong-San Mateo River, Belfast Street, Payapa Street, Violet Street and California Village, all along Tullahan River; Parkway Village along San Francisco River; Baesa Creek along Jaguar and Austin Street ; Palmera Phase 4 and 5; and Sitio Ruby.

On the other hand, the damaged roads, each needing more than P300,000 worth of repairs, were Shorthorn Road, Road 3, Gen. Segundo Street, Osmeña/Valencia Streets, Bernardo/De Vera Streets, Don Ramon Street, Baler Street, Bulacan/Moore Streets, Bansalangin Street, Times Street, F. Bautista Street, West Riverside Street, D. Tuazon Street, Malac/Capoas Streets, Bulusan Street, Calamba Street, Mayon Street, Sta. Catalina Street, Dr. Alejos/Mariveles/Ipo Streets, Macopa/P. Florentino/Simon Streets, all in District I; Queensland 1 & 2, Sta. Marcela Street, Belfast Street, Sauyo/Old Sauyo Road, Won Street, Baht Street, Rand Street, Dollar Street, La Naval Street, Sagingan Street and Cypress Village, all in District II; and Albert Street in District III.

Most of the roads and drainage systems in District IV sustained minor damage, each needing more than P100,000 worth of repairs.

The engineer also said that among the city’s public schools, San Bartolome Elementary School was hardest hit due to floodwaters. Four of its classrooms at the administration building as well as school fixtures and furniture need to be immediately repaired.

Torrential rains likewise wrecked the SB and Mathay Halls of the Carlos Albert High School in Barangay Santol. The damage to school property was placed at P1.59 million.

Other school buildings which  were also affected by the floods were the Masambong Elementary School, President Corazon C. Aquino Elementary School, Masambong High School, Sergio Osmeña Sr. High School, North Fairview High School, Doña Rosario High School, Sta. Lucia High School and Pugad Lawin High School.

City schools superintendent

Dr. Corazon Rubio had estimated the extent of damage to school property at P3.4 million.  She likewise identified at least 23 flood-prone schools in the city.

Meanwhile, Bautista stressed that contractors who would win in the bidding for the rehabilitation and repair of flood-wrecked infrastructure and public buildings must work quickly to restore these to ensure the safety of residents.

The mayor further instructed the city engineer to immediately coordinate with the Department of Public Works and Highways as well as the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority for the repair of damaged waterways and embankments.