The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has deployed workers and engineers in Pangasinan to help in the extensive repair and reconstruction of roadways and other infrastructures severely damaged by typhoon “Emong” last month.

At least 120 MMDA personnel with equipment have been sent to Alaminos City and the towns of Bolinao, Bani, Anda, and Agno to help in the extensive repair and reconstruction of damaged roadways and villages, MMDA Chairman Bayani Fernando said.

Mayor Hernani Braganza sought the MMDA’s assistance in rebuilding the gravely damaged cities and towns in the province when Fernando paid a visit to Alaminos City. After receiving Braganza’s appeal for help, Fernando ordered MMDA workers and equipment to be dispatched from the MMDA central office in Makati City, coordinate with concerned local officials, and start repair and clearing works.

The Metro Manila Mayors Council (MMMC), the MMDA’s policy-making body, approved Fernando’s proposed mercy mission to Pangasinan.

Director Ramon Santiago, chief of the MMDA’s Directorate for Special Operations (DSO), immediately brought 16 heavy equipment, particularly cranes and earthmovers, and about 120 workers and engineers to the badly-hit areas of Pangasinan.

“We have divided our teams so work will be maximized. So far, we have repaired 27 classrooms, 15 collapsed infrastructures such as covered courts and sports complexes, nine damaged day-care centers, two barangay halls and three religious centers,” said Santiago, who remained in Pangasinan to oversee the reconstruction efforts.

He said their work also consists of removing fallen trees, clearing the roads of debris, fixing electrical systems, and repairing damaged drainage, among others.

MMDA personnel who were sent to Pangasinan included members of Flood Control Management Service (FCMS), Roadway Clearing Group (RCG), Roadway Cleaning Operations Group (RCOG) and DSO.

Santiago said they also brought with them 10,000 pieces of roofing materials and other construction items to help repair houses damaged by the typhoon.

In Bolinao, about 250 houses were either torn down or incurred varying degrees of damages; 200 in Alaminos, 265 in Bani, 145 in Anda, and 130 in Agno, according to Santiago.

Santiago said an estimated 37,000 infrastructures were damaged in western Pangasinan alone.