Over P383M estimated cost of damages to infra in quake-hit NegOr
CENTRAL VISAYAS, Feb 19 (PIA) -- The National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (NDRRMC) in its latest update reported over P383,059,000M million estimated total cost of damages to roads and bridges, public buildings and flood control structures in Western and Central Viasyas due to the 6.9 magnitude earthquake and landslides that hit the Visayas on February 6.
NDRRMC reported that as of February 19, two bridges in Negros Oriental remained impassable due to the collapsed span of Martilo Bridge in La Libertad and collapsed center span of PangaloanBridge in Jimalalud.
One road section along the Dumaguete North road remains inaccessible due to cracks, cuts, rockfalls, landslides and road slips.
Restorations on the road networks are on-going while the Bailey panels from other District Engineering Offices are scheduled for use in the construction of detour bridges.
NDRRMC updates also reported that the National Grid Corp. of the PHL (NGCP) has restored power transmission services in parts of Negros Oriental affected by the earthquake.
As of February 11, normal operations of the Negros sub-grid was restored after completion of repairs and re-energization of the Bindoy-Guihulngan 69-kV transmission line and some portions of La Libertad and Jimalalud were energized on February 9.
Said electricity was being tapped from Bindoy Sub-Station located at Bindoy, Negros Oriental, NGCP said.
Port operations in Negros oriental were back to normal except for Guihulngan Port. An alternate port going to Guihulngan thet Bolodo Port, some 10 km from the city proper was used for transporting goods and relief assistance, the NDRRMC update said.
As reported earlier, Guihulngan City water supply system was totally damaged but electric facilities were already restored to date.
As of February 10, water and electricity in Ayungon and Tayasan towns had been restored and NGCP line crew continues to mobilize parts of power line to energize locations without electricity still.
Smart and Globe telecom operations were back to normal in the quake stricken areas with Smart Communications setting up Libreng Tawag Centers in areas badly hit in Negros Oriental while company personnel were deployed in Guihulngan National High School and City Hall to assist in relief and rescue efforts.
Fund raising among TV outlets were conducted in Cebu City for the victims in Negros Oriental and the Philippine Amateur Radio Association (PARA) Emergency Services provided HF communications assistance using their ham radio equipment in the NDRRMC Operations in the area. (MBCN/PIA-7)