Teams from the Department of Public Works and Highways worked during the Holy Week to clear the roads hit by landslides from typhoon Agaton.
Even during the Lenten holidays, the Department of Public Works and Highways – (DPWH) Eastern Samar District Engineering Office pushed through in clearing national roads in Baybay City, Leyte that were blocked by landslides during tropical storm Agaton.
DPWH Eastern Samar deployed field personnel and equipment to Baybay City, Leyte on Good Friday (April 15) to augment clearing operations on closed roads from storm Agaton.
Assistant District Engineer Domcelio Natividad said that the team immediately coordinated with DPWH Leyte 5th DEO upon arrival in the city to receive further instructions in the area of their assignments.
The team started the clearing operation to clear landslides that covered the national road in Sitio Pamotosan, Brgy. Makinhas, Baybay City, Leyte along Tacloban – Baybay South Road (K0998+900) on Black Saturday (April 16).
On the second day of its operation, this road section was declared two-lane passable at around 4 p.m. of Easter Sunday.
Natividad said that the purpose of sending additional manpower and equipment is to fast-track the clearing activities to provide easy access to other government agenciesto restore public utilities and distribute relief assistance.
Meanwhile, District Engineer Ma. Margarita Junia personally monitored the situation and gave her appreciation to the field personnel for doing their duties even during the holidays.
“We are very proud and thankful for the hard work of our maintenance personnel. Looking back, we have already done the same effort last year when we helped in the clearing operations in Southern Leyte after the onslaught of typhoon Odette," Junia said.
She added that the district office is always willing to extend help in the augmentation of manpower and equipment to other district offices which are in need and greatly affected by calamities.
“In times like this, we are always willing to extend help even during holidays, because in our line of work, we always give utmost priority in our public service,” Junia added.
Tags: #DPWH-EV, #roadclearing, #landslides, #stormAgaton