Prioritize repair of damaged roads in Caraga, PBBM orders DPWH
PATIN-AY, Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has directed the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to prioritize the repair of roads damaged by the magnitude-7.4 earthquake last December and the shear line and low-pressure area in January and early this month.

PRESIDENT Marcos (PPA)
“The Department of Public Works and Highways will look into it of course and we will prioritize those thoroughfares that are not passable going to isolated barangays,” said the Chief Executive during a situation briefing in his visit to the Caraga region on Friday.
Marcos said the DPWH will take a look into the issues raised by local officials, particularly those in Surigao del Sur and Agusan del Sur, whose provinces were devastated by flooding and earthquake.
“Basta medyo maganda na ang weather at tapos na ang pagbaha, puwede na talagang matingnan nila (DPWH) ng mabuti kung ano ang naging damage sa kalsada, ‘yung mga erosion, ‘yung mga footing ng tulay (Once the weather improves and the flooding is over, they can really take a closer look at the damage to the road, the erosion, the bridge footings),” Marcos said.
“All of these things will have to be assessed properly tapos bibigyan tayo ng recommendation kung ano ang dapat gawin (then they will give recommendation on what to do).”
Based on information from Surigao del Sur Gov. Alexander Pimentel, Marcos also directed the DPWH to conduct a structural assessment on the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) building in Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur that houses the Doppler radar that serves as a vital instrument in weather forecasting for Caraga.
Pimentel said the PAGASA building was damaged by the earthquake and affected the agency’s Doppler radar that monitors weather disturbances. He added this building plays a key role in monitoring the weather.
DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan assured the President and local officials that he will immediately attend to the officials’ request.
DPWH-13 Regional Director Engr. Pol M. delos Santos said that all major thoroughfares in the region, particularly Maharlika and national highways, are passable and erosions in a few areas in the region have been addressed.