By Betheena Kae Unite
Damage to infrastructure in Itbayat, Batanes due to the earthquakes that jolted the province last week has reached P292.82 million as of Thursday, the Department of Public Works and Highways said.
(KEVIN TRISTAN ESPIRITU / MANILA BULLETIN)
The latest damage assessment covers the damage to 978 residential, public building, roads, and slope protection structures in Barangays Sta. Lucia, San Rafael, Sta. Rosa, Sta. Maria, and Raele of Itbayat town.
Barangay San Rafael appeared to have incurred the highest loss with an estimated P103.36 million for the 269 totally and partially-damaged structures.
A total of 195 residential and public buildings in Barangay Sta. Maria also incurred damage costing roughly P81.94 million while 244 damaged residential structures in Barangay Sta. Rosa were recorded, costing P69.35 million.
Barangay Sta. Lucia had 164 damaged residential structures costing P19.95 million and two public buildings costing P5.36 million.
Barangay Raele has 104 damaged structures costing P11.60 million. Almost all structures in this barangay were totally damaged, the department said.
No road in Itbayat was badly damaged due to the earthquakes as all road portions of Mayan-Mauyen Port Road and Mayan-Paganaman Port Road, which sustained cracks, were already passable to all types of vehicles as of Tuesday.
Necessary improvements on major transport hubs like seaports and airports in the province were identified by a composite team from four government agencies following the earthquakes.
The Department of Transportation had also ordered to fast-track the improvement works on Mauyen Port, Valanga Port, Basco Port, Itbayat Airport, and Basco Airport.
Read more: Death toll climbs to 9 in Batanes quakes