By Jonas Reyes
PORAC, Pampanga –Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Mark Villar said Tuesday that Clark Freeport, Porac, and Lubao were the three hardest hit areas in Pampanga following the 6.1 magnitude earthquake that struck Luzon Monday afternoon.
A resident walks past rubble of the 18th century St. Catherine of Alexandria church after its bell tower was destroyed following a 6.1 magnitude earthquake that struck the town of Porac, Pampanga province on April 23, 2019. (Photo by TED ALJIBE / AFP / MANILA BULLETIN)
Villar said the DPWH’s Rapid Assessment Team specifically pointed at Clark International Airport, the Chuzon Supermarket in Porac, and roads in Lubao as the most damaged.
He added that other damaged areas include the collapsed arch in Dinalupihan, Bataan; the cracked Megadike Access Road in Bacolor, Pampanga; and the cracked Consuelo Bridge in Floridablanca, Pampanga.
“Unified Project Management Office (UPMO) Directors handling big ticket projects in Central Luzon and NCR have been instructed to conduct assessment of their ongoing projects,” Villar said.
The Bureau of Maintenance were ordered to assess all the damages in the affected areas, as all equipment and personnel from Region 3, National Capital Region, Region 4-A, and their District Engineering Offices were activated for clearing and rescue operations.
“Coordination was already established by DPWH with their corresponding Provincial Risk Reduction Management Council counterpart in the area for a more synchronized response,” he added.
Read more: Strong 6.1 quake jolts Metro, Luzon