Repair underway for flood-damaged Negros bridges

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY — Two bridges in northern Negros Occidental were damaged following flooding Saturday triggered by heavy rainfall caused by a shear line.

In a media interview Tuesday, Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said only the approach area of the Himogaan Bridge in Sagay City was damaged and that the bridge structure itself remains intact.

The bridge connects Barangays Maquiling and Puey, and residents expressed concern after seeing sacks of sand beneath the structure.

The Provincial Engineer’s Office clarified that the sand-filled sacks were placed in the damaged area to prevent erosion during construction and are not part of the compacted embankment.

Officials said the sandbags will not affect the structural integrity of the bridge.

“I understand that the contractor will repair it because they have not been fully paid. It has not yet been accepted,” Lacson said.

Lacson added that the incident was unfortunate for the contractor, as it occurred before the project’s formal turnover.

He noted, however, that the bridge had already been in regular use prior to the damage.

The Provincial Engineer’s Office said the project was originally scheduled for turnover in December but was rescheduled for this month due to scheduling conflicts.

With the current situation, officials said repairs to the damaged approach may take up to a month, depending on weather conditions.

Lacson said Sagay City was the hardest hit by flooding over the weekend, with 2,922 families, or 7,651 individuals, displaced as of Feb. 3.

The provincial government has distributed food packs to affected residents and is prepared to extend additional assistance if needed.

Meanwhile, Richard Jaojoco, mayor of Toboso, called on Department of Public Works and Highways Secretary Vince Dizon to inspect another bridge damaged by flash floods Saturday.

Local DPWH personnel inspected the bridge Tuesday to assess the damage after sandbags were also observed beneath the structure.

“We expect lawmakers to make a representation,” Lacson said, although he added that the local government has not yet sought national assistance, noting that infrastructure repairs in the province remain manageable.

Provincial disaster officials reported that the shear line affected 6,249 families, or 18,547 individuals, in Calatrava, Toboso, Escalante City, Sagay City, Cadiz City, E.B. Magalona, and Talisay City as of 5 p.m. Tuesday.

A total of 1,076 houses were damaged in Calatrava, Sagay City, Toboso, Talisay City, and Escalante City.

The flooding also caused PHP 2.1 million in agricultural losses and PHP 3.3 million in livestock damage.

Lacson said that while no typhoon struck the province, shear lines can still cause significant destruction.