The cost of damage on public and private infrastructure in Baguio incurred during the monsoon rains has ballooned to P98.370 million, according to the updated report of the City Disaster and Risk Reduction Office.
City Administrator Bonifacio dela Peña said the monsoon rains, which is entering its fourth week now, has already saturated the soil resulting in minor and major landslides and collapse of retaining walls in various parts of the city.
“We no longer have a problem with our drainages. Our projection is our drainages will be usable for at least 20 years. Malalaki na ‘yung mga nilagay ng Department of Public Works and Highways. Our problem now is the soil could no longer contain the volume of rains kaya may mga landslides,” dela Peña said in a press conference last week, adding this is why a portion of Leonard Wood Road retaining wall collapsed.
He said the weep holes where water is supposed to drain was not enough as the weight of the soil was already too much leading to the collapse of the retaining wall.
The site has already been inspected and is currently under restoration stage.
Two-way traffic has also been restored hours after the incident.
Other areas where collapsed retaining walls have been reported were inspected for restoration by either the local government or the City District Engineering Office.
Data on the total amount of damage for the Cordillera is still being collated by the Regional Disaster and Risk Reduction Management Council (RDRRMC).
Based on the Aug. 6 report of RDRRMC, there were 106 totally damaged houses due to the monsoon rains; 20 families are currently in evacuation centers; and there are 356 families who stayed in either a neighbor or a relative’s house.
Abra is the only province so far that declared a state of calamity. – Rimaliza A. Opiña
April 26, 2024
