Super typhoon Uwan left P466 million in total damage to national infrastructures in Catanduanes, according to the official report of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
However, the agency would need P1.2 billion in funding to reconstruct or rehabilitate the affected public works.
River flooding damaged the roundings and abutments of three bridges along the Catanduanes Circumferential Road the two more along the Jct. Bato-Baras-Gigmoto-Viga national secondary road, with repair cost estimated as P60 million.
These are the Sto. Domingo bridge in Virac, Cabungahan bridge in San Andres, San Vicente bridge in Tokio, Pandan, Sioron bridge in Gigmoto, and San Vicente bridge in Gigmoto.
Reconstructing the destroyed portions will cost P100 million, the DPWH Catanduanes District Engineering Office said.
A knowledgeable source explained that while the repair of the affected structure would restore it to its original condition prior to the storm occurrence, reconstruction will include design revisions to strengthen it and prevent it from being damaged in the future.
Uwan’s three-meter storm surge, worsened by high tide at the time of its closest passage, damaged or destroyed 1,080 meters of seawalls and seaports in four towns with total repair cost of P215 million and reconstruction cost of P440 million.
Wiped out were the shore protection works in Tambongon, Viga; Guiamlong, Caramoran; and District I in Gigmoto. Also suffering the same fate were the seaports in Cobo, Pandan and District I, Gigmoto.
Five flood control projects in three towns were also affected: the upstream and downstream portion in San Vicente, Gigmoto; downstream portion in Sto. Domingo, Virac; Pajo, Virac; and Sipi, Bato.
The DPWH said it would need P125 million to rehabilitate the structures that cost P60 million.
Road slips occurred in 34 sections of the national highway, which would require P549 million to reconstruct 1.6 kilometers of concrete pavement and slope protection.
Most of the affected roads are in Caramoran, San Miguel, Baras, Gigmoto and Panganiban, OIC-District Engineer Vivian G. Biaco said in the report.
The storm also caused over P11 million in damage to various buildings and facilities inside the DPWH compound in San Isidro Village, which the DE said would cost P15.8 million to rehabilitate.
The damage report did not include the additional destruction left by the recent shear line flooding.