PGMA's closed-door meeting tackles rehab of damaged Western Visayas infra

PIA 2009/07/29, by T. Villavert

Iloilo City (29 July) -- It was all rehabilitation of damaged infrastructures that progressed during the July 28 closed door meeting which President Arroyo held with the concerned officials of Region VI.

Secretary Raul Gonzalez in a local media interview disclosed that it is the priority program to rehabilitate the damaged structures over plans to build new infrastructures in the region.

For his part, Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Trenas requested the release of funds through Asec Remedios Poblador for the dredging of the Iloilo creek.

President Arroyo visited Iloilo July 28 to inspect on-going infrastructure projects in the province, and in the course of their closed meeting decided to visit the infrastructures which were devastated by the onslaught of typhoon Frank in June 2008.

Presidential Adviser for Western Visayas Undersecretary Raul Banias said typhoon Frank destroyed last year 33 bridges in the region, 10 of them completely, thereby cutting off the connection among the different barangays of the province.

Banias said the President already released P60 million for the Camangahan Bridge plus another P45 million to complete it by December this year.

The President wanted a complete rehabilitation of the Tigum and Amerang Bridges before her term ends next June, Banias said.

According to the Malacanang press report, she already allotted P160 million for the Tigum Bridge rehabilitation, which was already received by the Presidential Adviser for Western Visayas.

As for the Amerang Bridge, she already ordered the allocation of P180 million, according to Banias.

Banias said the President has shown particular interest in Western Visayas-visiting it 4 to 5 times a year since 2001 because in her first visit, the Ilongos showed her their complete faith, love and admiration.

The houses that were totally damaged by the storm last year reached 45,099 for Region 6 and partially damaged houses stood at 140,348 units. For Iloilo alone, the totally damaged houses reached 45,421 and the partially damaged houses stood at 20,370 units, the Malacanang press report disclosed. (PIA6)

PGMA to inspect, groundbreak vital Iloilo infra projects

PIA 2009/08/13

Iloilo City (13 August) -- President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo is set to inspect a vital infrastructure project and lead the groundbreaking of a bridge today (August 13) in Iloilo Province.

The first leg of President Arroyo's visit is at the Anilao Bridge in Pavia, Iloilo where she will be briefed on the status of the Iloilo Flood Control (IFC) Project amounting to P5,587,000,000 based on its revised cost as of January 2009.

The IFC project consists of the construction of the Jaro Floodway which is about 4.75 kilometers and the Jaro River System improvements with the scale of 50-year return period and Iloilo City Urban Drainage System Improvements with the scale of 5-year return period.

The project is aimed to mitigate flood damage and inundation and to create a more sustainable urban community as well as provide a safer and a more pleasant living condition for people in Iloilo City and its nearby areas.

President Arroyo is then expected to proceed to Alimodian, Iloilo for the groundbreaking of the P166,456,494 Nichols Bridge which will replace the old bridge destroyed by typhoon "Frank" last year.

It can be recalled that in 2004, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo personally led the opening of the old Nichols Bridge which was part of the Tulay ng Pangulo sa Barangay.

The construction of the new bridge which is 150 meter-long began last July 2009 with target completion on February 11, 2011. It is part of the Urgent Bridges Construction Project for Rural Development funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) 6 Director Rolando Asis said the completion of Nichols bridge will connect Alimodian Proper to its far flung and hinterlands barangays and nearby municipalities and expected to boost the flow of goods and services in the said areas.

Currently, local residents make use of the temporary detour bridge that was constructed downstream.

Asis said typhoon "Frank" has destroyed 11 bridges in the province of Iloilo.

Two weeks ago, President Arroyo was also here in Iloilo to personally check the construction of Oton-Mambog Road and Camanggahan Bridge in Guimbal which are geared towards the upliftment of the living conditions of the Ilonggos.

On that visit, President Arroyo also inspected the Amerang and Tigum bridges which were destroyed by typhoon "Frank". (PIA)

OPS 28 JULY 2009

ILOILO CITY--- After making a windshield inspection of the Oton Road and then motoring two hours to Guimbal for the groundbreaking of the Camangdian Bridge that links Guimbal to Tubungan, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo made a surprise inspection of two other bridges that were destroyed by typhoon Frank last year.

The visit followed a lunch stop at Tatoy’s, a favorite seafood grill restaurant among locals and domestic tourists where she held two meetings.

The long convoy of 24-cars whizzed through dirt roads from the newly-completed Iloilo Airport, as schoolchildren and policemen lined up the roads to get a glimpse of the President.

Seeing the children and their parents peering outside the human cordon, the President approached the crowd and shook hands with them, saying Salamat Po sa inyong pagtiwala sa akin, delighting them no end.

Presidential Adviser for Western Visayas Undersecretary Raul Banias said typhoon Frank destroyed last year 33 bridges in the region, 10 of them completely, thereby cutting off the connection among the different barangays of the province.

Banias said the President already released P60 million for the Camangdian Bridge plus another P45 million to complete it by December this year.

The President wanted a complete rehabilitation of the Tigum and Amerang Bridges before her term ends next June, Banias said.

She already allotted P160 million for the Tigum Bridge rehabilitation, which was already received by the Presidential Adviser for Western Visayas.

As for the Amerang Bridge, she already ordered the allocation of P180 million, according to Banias.

Banias said the President has shown particular interest in Western Visayas—visiting it 4 to 5 times a year since 2001 because in her first visit, the Ilongos showed her their complete faith, love and admiration.

The houses that were totally damaged by the storm last year reached 45,099 for Region 6 and partially damaged houses stood at 140,348 units. For Iloilo alone, the totally damaged houses reached 45,421 and the partially damaged houses stood at 20,370 units.

Bidding for rehab projects in Iloilo, Aklan opens in June

PIA 2009/05/27

Iloilo City (27 May) -- The Department of Public Works and Highways 6 (DPWH) will open the bidding for the P481 million worth of rehabilitation projects in the provinces of Iloilo and Aklan on the first week of June.

This was disclosed by Presidential Assistant for Western Visayas Dr. Raul Banias during the meeting of the Regional Disaster Coordinating Council 6 held in Camp Martin Delgado, Iloilo City recently.

"The DPWH 6 informed us that the opening of the bids will be on the first week of June so that works can be started as soon as the winning contractor will be known," said Banias.

During her visit in Boracay last March 28, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo has approved the release of P481 million coming from the regular budget of the DPWH under the General Appropriations Act to primarily fund the rehabilitation of the 9 infrastructure projects in the provinces of Aklan and Iloilo including Iloilo City which were heavily affected by typhoon Frank last year.

Banias said some P381 million of the fund will go to the city and province of Iloilo. This will cover the total replacement of the Tigum Bridge in Cabatuan, Iloilo worth P160 million; replacement of the Baltazar Aquino Bridge in Alimodian worth P40 million; construction of the substructure of Camanggahan Bridge linking Guimbal and Tubungan towns worth P60 million; dredging of Dungon Creek in Iloilo City worth P50 million; repair of the road slip in Pototan, Iloilo which is part of the Nautical Highway worth P30 million; the completion of the Misi-Tampucao Bridge in Lambunao worth P21 million; and the repair of Daja and Tubang Bridges in Maasin, Iloilo got P10 million each.

Around P100 million of the fund was allocated for the dredging of the Aklan River that will be implemented in areas such as Libacao, Banga and Kalibo.

Banas clarified that the fund was already released by President Arroyo prior to the approval of the P8 billion Paglaum Fund which is now in the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. (PIA)

PIA 2009/01/22

Iloilo Cit (22 January) -- The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in Region 6 considered the year 2008 a challenging and fruitful year.

On top of its regular projects to be implemented during the year, the capabilities of DPWH were further challenged when Typhoon "Frank" hit the region particularly Panay Island on June 21 damaging almost all road sections and washing out major bridges.

DPWH 6 Director Rolando M. Asis said the support of the regional staff together with the 15 district offices enabled them to cope during those times of challenges.

For 2008, the DPWH 6 was able to construct, rehabilitate and improve infrastructure projects worth P3.72 billion.

These projects are as follow: the construction and rehabilitation of 181.870 kilometers of roads to include arterial secondary and farm-to-market roads; replacement and improvement of 10 bridges; completion of 112 flood control projects, 118 classrooms, 8 health centers, 827 multipurpose buildings, 238 water systems; and construction of social infrastructures.

As of this date, the DPWH was able to complete 90 percent of its projects that include 85 sections along national roads including bridges, 10 road projects along Strong Nautical Highways, 6 local road projects, 3 public buildings and 1 flood control project.

Under the DPWH Bridge Replacement Program, out of 63 bridges programmed under the UK and Austrian Assistance, 51 are now completed and made passable to traffic.

Asis said the destruction left by Typhoon "Frank" in the infrastructure in the region had the DPWH Team on a 24/7 repair and rehabilitation efforts.

"The support of Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane Jr. through the P527 million fund which was immediately provided by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo have helped the DPWH 6 in its efforts to ease the plight of the people in the region from onslaught of typhoon "Frank"," said Asis.

Asis added that their fast action in their rehabilitation efforts made the breached bridges and cut road sections open to traffic in a very short time.

Among the vital bridges that were damaged and repaired are the Tigum Bridge and L. Marcos Bridge in Cabatuan, Iloilo.

Currently, the DPWH is working on the preliminary and detailed engineering of proposed reconstruction/rehabilitation projects in preparation for its implementation once the Paglaum Fund is made available.

On the other hand, the high impact projects that were implemented by DPWH 6 last year included the concreting of 9.93 kilometer portion of Iloilo City Caticlan Highway worth P164 million, the widening of the Iloilo City – Sta. Barbara Road worth P70 million (with additional fund of P175 million), the construction of the Metro Radial Road worth P70 million (with additional fund of P355 million), the new Bacolod (Silay) Airport Access Road worth P972 million.

Asis said these projects support the ten-point agenda of the President. (PIA)

10/10/2008 - DPWH 6 Asst. Regional Director Juby Cordon explains to media the rehabilitation efforts done by the DPWH to make the Tigum Bridge in Cabatuan, Iloilo passable after it was damaged by Typhoon Frank during the recent on-site visitation led by Task Force Bangon Panay. Also shown in photo is Task Force Bangon Panay Executive Director Asst. Secretary Raul Banas. (PIA 6)

PIA 2008/10/16

Iloilo City (16 October) -- A new bridge will be constructed to replace the Tigum Bridge in Barangay Tabucan, Cabatuan, Iloilo which was heavily damaged by Typhoon Frank last June.

This was disclosed by Department of Public Works and Highways 6 (DPWH 6) Assistant Regional Director Juby Cordon during the recent on-site visitation of the members of the Task Force Bangon Panay led by its Executive Director, Presidential Assistant for Western Visayas Raul Banas of Tigum Bridge and E. Marcos Bridge, all in the municipality of Cabatuan.

"The new bridge will be constructed beside the Tigum Bridge as soon as the fund is available which will be taken either from the Urgent Bridge Program or the Paglaum Fund, whichever comes first," said Cordon.

Cordon said that Tigum Bridge, and other vital bridges in the province that were damaged by typhoon "Frank" such as the E. Marcos Bridge in Barangay Amerang, Baltazar-Aquino Bridge in Leon and Camanggahan Bridge in Guimbal were included in the proposal for funding under the Urgent Bridge Program of the department and the Paglaum Fund at total estimated cost of around P500 million.

Tigum Bridge was re-opened to vehicular traffic last August 18 after it underwent immediate rehabilitation where steel baileys were used to temporarily make up for its two damaged spans. At present, it can only accommodate load of not more than 5 tons.

The closure of the bridge had adversely affected not only the flow of the vehicular traffic but the mobility of commuters to and from Iloilo City, hence its immediate repair was a priority.

Tigum Bridge connects the municipalities of Cabatuan, Maasin, Janiuay, Lambunao and Calinog to Iloilo City. It is also along the Iloilo-Capiz route connecting the towns of Tapaz, Jamindan and Dumalag of the Capiz province.

On the other hand, the E. Marcos Bridge is now open to light vehicular traffic through a temporary bridge while repair works continue in the Macapagal-Syjuco Friendship Bridge in Alimodian, Baltazar-Aquino Bridge and Camanggahan Bridge. (PIA)

DPWH 08/18/08

Making your way through the eastern part of Iloilo and towards the province of Capiz could be a bit easier now with the reopening of a vital bridge. The Department of Public Works and Highways announces that effective August 18, 2008, Tigum Bridge in Cabatuan, Iloilo which was damaged during the onslaught of tyhoon Frank that hit Western Visayas at the later part of June 2008 has been reopened to vehicular traffic. DPWH Regional Director Rolando M. Asis personally supervised the construction of the temporary bridge on a round the clock basis to immediately restore traffic passage in the area. Using steel bailey panels to temporarily make up for the damaged two (2) spans, the bridge can now accommodate load of not more than 10 tons. Aside from the prompt work of the DPWH, the people of the eastern part of Iloilo is thankful to Her Excellency President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and Iloilo 3rd Congressional District Representative Arthur Defensor, Sr., for the funding assistance extended for the repair of bridge. Tigum Bridge connects Iloilo City to the towns of Cabatuan, Maasin, Janiuay, Lambunao and Calinog. It is also along Iloilo-Capiz Old route connecting towns of Tapaz, Jamindan and Dumalag, Province of Capiz. Asis said that Secretary Hermogenes E. Ebdane Jr. and Undersecretary Rafael C. Yabut, in-charge of the operation in the Visayas, has instructed him to prepare all pertinent plans, documents including cost estimates needed for the construction of a permanent pre-stress concrete girder replacement bridge. DPWH has also carried out improvement works at the New Lucena-Sta. Barbara Road to serve as an alternate route to the Tigum Bridge.

Frank-damaged bridges in Panay now passable

PIA 2008/07/31

Iloilo City (31 July) -- The Department of Public Works and Highways 6 (DPWH 6) recently reported that more bridges in Panay Island damaged by typhoon "Frank" are now passable.

In his report to Public Works and Highways Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane Jr. and Undersecretary Rafael Yabut, in-charge of Visayas Operation, DPWH 6 Director Rolando Asis said that the Valderrama Bridge, one of the major bridges in Antique province damaged by the typhoon is now completed and open to vehicular traffic after massive repair done by the department.

"The installation of bailey panels to replace washed out three spans of old Valderama Bridge along Bugasong-Valderama Road in Antique was completed," said Asis in his report. About P5 million was spent for the installation of bailey panels.

The DPWH 6 Director also cited in his report that bridges in Iloilo province which are now passable include Jalaur Bridge in Calinog; Suage Bridge in Janiuay; Kantil Box Culvert in Badiangan; Inguan and Tacuyong Detour Bridges in Leon; Binanua-an Bridge in Guimbal; and Tiolas and Ambuyu-an Bridges in San Joaquin.

According to the DPWH 6 other bridges in Western Visayas that became impassable after the typhoon but were immediately repaired included the following: San Roque Bridge, Libertad, Antique; Dalanas Bridge, Barbaza, Antique; Tibiao Bridge, Tibiao, Antique; Guinbanggaan Bridge, Lauan, Antique; Asluman Bridge, Hamtic, Antique; Sibalom and Initan Bridges in Sibalom, Antique; Libonan Bridge, San Remegio, Antique; and Balusbos and Ibajay (old) and Bridges in Aklan.

Asis said that most of the bridges with minor damage are now open to light vehicles at the end of June and early July 2008 following the immediate repair of washed out or damaged approaches.

He attributed the prompt restoration to the immediate release of fund as directed by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo during a Cabinet Meeting held in Iloilo City.

"With bridging materials already delivered on site to heavily damaged bridges of Tigum and Imelda Marcos Bridges in Cabatuan, Iloilo, the installation of bailey bridge as temporary passage is expected to be completed by end of August 2008", said Asis.

Undersecretary Yabut has also instructed DPWH Region 6 to improve the alternate routes, hasten the preparation of engineering design for permanent replacement bridges and continue the cleaning and clearing of roads from muds to prevent travel inconvenience and prevent accidents. (PIA)

DPWH 07/28/08

The Department of Public Works and Highways undertakes the repair and rehabilitation of damaged bridges in Iloilo caused by typhoon “Frank”. Photo shows DPWH Region 6 Director inspecting the progress of repair activities at Tigum and Ulian Bridges in Cabatuan and Lambunao, Iloilo, respectively. Behind Director Asis are the bailey panels to be utilized as temporary bridges.

DPWH 07/22/08

A total of 28 typhoon affected bridges out of 35 unpassable bridges were now accessible to motorists as the Department of Public Works and Highways reported its continued rehabilitation efforts on damaged infrastructure in Western Visayas. In his report to DPWH Secretary Hermogenes E. Ebdane Jr., DPWH Region VI Director Rolando Asis said that a total of P1.8 Billion or 35 bridges and 26 road sections were reported unpassable after the onslaught of typhoon ‘Frank’. With the directive of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to immediately restore the damage roads and bridges 28 bridges are now passable and seven were provided with alternate routes and/or footbridges. All road sections are now also passable in the region. “ We are still providing assistance to the local government and the provincial disaster coordinating council in conducting clearing operations on heavily land and mudslide affected towns and barangays” Asis said. Asis also said that the immediate restoration of the damaged road and bridges are vital to assure the immediate delivery of relief goods to major evacuation areas. The DPWH is now undertaking the preliminary works for the design of permanent replacement for those bridges that were totally destroyed. Asis also added that feasibility studies are now undertaken on how to upgrade infrastructure to mitigate the effects that may result if flood of the same magnitude will be again encountered. Meanwhile. Aklan District Engineer Robert Cabigas proposed for the reactivation of the moth-balled Aklan River Basin Development to mitigate flooding in Aklan province. Aklan is the hardest hit province in Pasay when Aklan River overflowed to the capital towns of Kalibo and other low-lying municipalities. “ The only office equipment left operational in our office is the wall clock,” Cabigas said as he reported the need of P 70.8 Million for the rehabilitation of damaged infrastructure in Aklan.

PIA 2008/07/14, by ES Subong

Iloilo City (14 July) -- The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) 6 had already completed the immediate repair of four of 11 bridges which were totally damaged by typhoon Frank, located in Magapa, Janiuay, Pajo and Ulian in Lambunao, and the Kantil Box culvert in Badiangan, all in the province of Iloilo, with an estimated cost of P248, 500,000.

This amount also covers the on-going repair being done in other areas, which include the installation of bailey bridges in Tigum Bridge in Cabatuan, Imelda Marcos brideg in Maasin, Valderrrama Bridge in Antique, and the Bugo Bridge in San Remegio, Antique.

It likewise includes improvement of alternate routes, and on-going restoration of approaches in Baltazar Aquino Bridge, Leon, Nichols Bridge in Alimodian, and Camanggahan Bridge, Guimbal, with all cut bridges provided with footbridge for human passage.

In his report, DPWH Dir. Rolando Asis said all bridges with damaged approaches have been made passable even as on-going repairs of protection works or approaches are still being done, with an estimated cost of P30,905,000.

As to road networks, Asis reported that they have made all road sections with slides and cuts passable even as repairs are still going on, which include the Cross Drainage eroded in Barotac Nuevo, completed as of July 6, and the Iloilo-Capiz Road, new route Pototan section which opened July 7. The repair involved a cost estimate of P79, 806,000.

Meanwhile, all the flooded portions of the roads in Iloilo City are now made passable as repairs are being undertaken, mud and spoils removed.

As of press time, DPWH said that mud and debris have been removed from five main roads in Kalibo, with on-going mopping operations and clearing activities in the minor streets of the town. (DPWH/PIA 6)

DPWH 06/26/08

Public Works and Highways Secretary Hermogenes E. Ebdane Jr. issues instruction to DPWH Region 6 Director Rolando Asis following his inspection at damaged infrastructure in Iloilo. With Ebdane are Iloilo 3rd District Representative Arthur D. Defensor Sr., Undersecretary Rafael C. Yabut and other public works and local officials of Iloilo.

DPWH 06/26/08

Public Works and Highways Secretary Hermogenes E. Ebdane Jr. looks on map showing the flow of river waters after heavy rains triggered by typhoon Frank inundate areas of Iloilo province. Secretary Ebdane has directed DPWH Region 6 Director Rolando Asis (at left) to immediately prepare plans for the reconstruction of damaged infrastructures. Also in photo is DPWH Undersecretary Rafael C. Yabut, in-charge of the operation in Visayas.