President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Monday promised to aid the recovery of Batangas province following the devastating effects of Tropical Storm Kristine.
The government would help particularly in rebuilding the province’s infrastructures, the President said.
Speaking during the distribution of Presidential Assistance to Farmers, Fisherfolk, and Families (PAFFF) in Laurel, Batangas, the President said the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is already assessing the Bayuyungan Bridge and the roads in Agoncillo, which were damaged by Kristine.
“Inaatasan ko rin sila na gawing prayoridad ang pagpapagawa ng mga imprastrakturang ito – na magawa sa lalong madaling panahon,” he said.
“Pagsisikapan natin ang pagbangon ng Batangas.Ating titiyakin na tatapusin natin ang mga proyektong imprastraktura sa lalawigan katulad ng Taal Lake Circumferential Road na magkokonekta sa bayan ng Laurel, Talisay, at Agoncillo; pati na [ang] Lobo Malabrigo – San Juan Laiya Road project.”
And to ensure the durability of future structures especially amid the threats posed by climate change, the President ordered the trade department to monitor the building materials for the projects to maintain high quality standards.
He said aside from building state infrastructures on time, building materials’ quality must also be kept to ensure public safety.
Among the major infrastructure damages in Batangas are the collapsed Bugaan Bridge (also known as Bayuyungan Bridge) in Laurel; the slope protection along Bugaan Bridge; and the collapsed road in Agoncillo. These are along the Talisay-Laurel-Agoncillo national road section, the only major road that connects the municipalities of Agoncillo, Lemery, and nearby municipalities.
As a result, affected barangays are inaccessible, posing challenges to emergency response and transport of agricultural goods.
The DPWH proposed to rebuild the collapsed Bugaan Bridge using PhP150 million in programmed funds. The damaged slope protection will also be reconstructed with PhP150 million in allocation.
Meanwhile, the collapsed road will be reconstructed via a PhP50 million allotment, it added. | PND
