TRENTO, Agusan del Sur, Philippines – The heavy rains brought by a low pressure area last week severely devastated several roads and bridges in Agusan del Sur that are very essential in the economic activity of the Northeastern and Southern-tip regions of Mindanao.

As this developed, the initial rehabilitation of destroyed infrastructure is stepped up in an effort to strengthen the roads and bridges in the event heavy rains and other weather disturbances may again hit the access roads in the two regions of Mindanao.

The weather disturbance experienced by the Caraga Region recently brought rains that damaged several roads and bridges within the jurisdiction of the Agusan del Sur II District Engineering Office (DEO-II) of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

Severely damaged was the Sta. Maria Bridge along the NRJ Cuevas-Bislig City Road-Trento, Agusan del Sur (K1382+562) where approach “B” of the bridge was affected heavily, leaving the condition of the bridge poor to traffic, and in danger of collapsing.

This bridge connects Surigao del Sur to Agusan del Sur, and Compostela Valley and Davao Region.

The DEO-II needs an estimated funding of P130 million for the immediate repair of the bridge.

But the DEO-II made some temporary or initial remedies to allow continuous flow of traffic.

Also needing immediate attention and funding is the 40.5 L.M. depression/settlement of the Daang Maharlika in Langkilaan, Trento, Agusan del Sur (KM.1375+400 - KM. 1375+440.5), the DEO-II said.

Although the Caraga Region, as a whole, was spared during the onslaught of typhoon “Sendong,” the recent low pressure area in Mindanao aggravated what was already affected by the said typhoon.

Meanwhile, DPWH Undersecretary Romeo S. Momo arrived here recently to personally assess the extent of the damage brought about typhoon “Sendong” and heavy rains last week.

DPWH Region-13 Director Danilo E. Versola also inspected the most affected areas and instructed Agusan del Sur DEO-II District Engineer Rainero A. Zerda to immediately prepare the necessary program of works for the funding request to the DPWH central office so that inconvenience will not be prolonged.

“We are already redoubling our efforts so that we can immediately address the needs on economic infrastructure in the province which are also vital infrastructure in the two regions in Mindanao,” said Zerda.