Senator Ramon ‘’Bong’’ Revilla Jr., chairman of the Senate public works committee, urged on Monday the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to check the structural strengths of infrastructures, particularly bridges, as storm ‘’Ondoy’’ and typhoon ‘’Pepeng’’ that recently hit Northern and Central Luzon, Metro Manila and nearby provinces destroyed or damaged bridges and roads estimated at P604.7 million.

All DPWH regional directors should inspect all bridges and road networks in their jurisdictions ‘’determine which ones are already damaged or on the brink of collapse,’’ Revilla said.

DPWH officials are chaffing at the decision of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to propose a 2010 P105.3 billion budget which is P32.2 billion less than the current 2009 P137.5 billion budget.

“Damaged roads and bridges certainly hamper the delivery of relief goods and the conduct of rescue operations. The DPWH must construct temporary bridges and find alternate roads to address this problem as soon as possible,’’ Revilla said.

Among those reportedly damaged are the Bued Bridge or ‘long bridge’ that connects Pangasinan and La Union; the Ambayaoan Bridge in San Nicolas, Pangasinan; the Rosario-Sison Bridge  in La Union, the Quisao Bridge that connects the municipalities of Jala-jala and Pililia in Rizal, and the 3rd Concrete Bridge along Marcos Highway.

Also, Philippine National Police Chief Director General Jesus A. Verzosa instructed the PNP Maritime Group to step up security measures to protect the country’s seas from polluters. “The police will take the lead in enforcing littering and environmental ordinances. The recent calamities are wake up calls to all of us to do our share in protecting our fragile environment,” he said.

Verzosa also lauded the men and women of PNP for tirelessly visiting areas where police presence and assistance is needed at the height of typhoons 'Ondoy' and Pepeng's' wrath.

Verzosa noted that the PNP has made remarkable strides in environmental protection as he cited the Pulis Makakalikasan and Scubasurero projects which are involved in massive tree planting and clean-up of seas.

“Through the years, the police’s role has taken on new dimensions. As our country makes great strides to growth and development, the PNP has become not only the keeper of peace but also an advocate for a greener environment,” he said.

Verzosa said that while the campaigns against crime are waged without let up, the war against those who “pollute” the environment are equally given attention by the PNP.

This developed as the Taiwanese government continues to support the Filipino victims of typhoons “Ondoy” and “Pepeng” with the steady arrival of relief items — this, despite the fact that they are still recovering from the devastation brought about by typhoon “Marakot” barely two months ago.

The latest arrival of relief items arrived yesterday morning which were donated by Taiwan’s Fo Guan Monastery, also known as the Buddha’s Light Foundation.