QUEZON CITY (PIA) — The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has already prepositioned manpower and equipment in areas that are potentially within the range of the impact of Typhoon Ofel (Usagi).
“A total of 4,855 manpower with 790 equipment have been prepositioned in CAR [Cordillera Autonomous Region], Regions 1, 2, 3, and 5 to monitor the incoming typhoon and conduct necessary disaster risk reduction and response measures,” the agency reported on Nov. 13.
“Secretary Manuel Bonoan also alerted the DPWH Disaster and Incident Management Teams (DIMT) of areas that are along the forecasted track of typhoon Ofel, which is expected to make landfall by Thursday afternoon or evening, according to the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA),” it added.
The DPWH also noted that several roads in CAR and Region 2 remain closed due to Typhoons Nika (Toraji) and Ofel.
In its report, the department said:
“As of 6:00 am Wednesday, November 13, 2024, nine (9) national roads are still impassable due to landslides, soil collapse, and flooding brought by the combined effects of Tropical Cyclones Nika and now Ofel, which have further strengthened into a typhoon.
The Department of Public Works Bureau of Maintenance (DPWH-BOM) identified six (6) closed roads in the Cordillera Administrative Region and three (3) in the Cagayan Valley Region:
1. Claveria-Calanasan-Kabugao Road, Barangay Naguilian and Barangay Kabugawan sections in Calanasan, Apayao due to soil collapse and road slip.
2. Banaue-Hungduan-Benguet Boundary Road in Tukucan, Tinoc, Ifugao due to landslide.
3. Mt. Province Bdry-Calanan-Pinukpuk-Abbut Road (Cagaluan-Calanan Section), Bagumbayan section in Tabuk City, Kalinga due to soil collapse.
4. Balbalan-Pinukpuk Road, Dao-angan, Balbalan, Kalinga due to soil collapse.
5. Lubuagan – Batong – Buhay Road, Batong-Buhay, Balatoc, Pasil, Kalinga due to debris flow.
6. Jct Talubin-Barlig-Natonin-Paracelis-Calaccad Road, Tonglayan section, Natonin, Mountain Province due to soil collapse.
7. Cagayan-Apayao Road, Itawes Overflow Bridge, Sta Barbara, Piat, Cagayan due to scoured bridge approach.
8. Cabagan Sta. Maria Road, Casibarag and Mozzozzin sections, Sta. Maria, Isabela
9. Jct Abbag-Nagtipunan-Nueva Vizcaya Road via Dupax, La Conwap, Nagtipunan, Quirino due to flooding along detour road.”
Meanwhile, 10 road sections in CAR and three (3) roads in Region 2 have been cleared and reopened to the motoring public,” it pointed out. (PIA DMD)
