Precious lives continue to be lost to heavy rains and flooding, in Eastern Visayas and elsewhere in the Philippines.
Rescuers found the body of Melchor Villocero, 41, and a fisherman from Laoang town, Northern Samar, according to the Philippine National Police based in Palo, Leyte.
Five persons in Eastern Visayas died due to incessant rains brought by the shear line. Of the number, three were from Northern Samar and two from Southern Leyte. At least seven fishermen remained missing.
Meanwhile, the town of Llorente in Eastern Samar declared a state of calamity on Dec. 25 due to the massive flooding it experienced from the shear line. The local government unit said 33 barangays were affected by the flood, which destroyed some houses and farm products.
To mitigate the effects of natural disasters such as floods, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) continues to fast-track the engineering interventions needed to secure the whole of Eastern Visayas from climate change-related catastrophes.
It is expected that smoother vehicular flow and increased capacity will soon be experienced by motorists and commuters as the DPWH implements the widening of San Joaquin Bridge in Barangay San Joaquin, Municipality of Palo, Leyte.
According to DPWH Secretary Manuel M. Bonoan, citing reports from DPWH Region 8 Director Edgar B. Tabacon, the second and last phase of the project, with an allocation of P43.48 million, covers the widening of the bridge from two to four lanes, approach slab, and construction of slope protection structure using grouted riprap.
“With fast-tracked works on the project, the second phase is now at 87.11 percent with the target completion in February 2023,” said Secretary Bonoan.
“The 98.80 lineal meters San Joaquin bridge located along Daang Maharlika forms part of the only thoroughfare that connects the towns of Palo and Tanauan in Leyte, making it a vital infrastructure to daily road users,” said Director Tabacon.
The first phase of the bridge widening project was completed last April 2022 with an allocation of P66.63 million.
Once completed, the widened San Joaquin Bridge will not only conform to the nationwide road expansion activity of the Department, but will also boost tourism and trade activities, provide safer travel to both locals and tourists, and alleviate traffic congestion along the region’s major thoroughfares.