Agaton infrastructure damage reaches P1.4 billion

MANILA, Philippines — Damage to infrastructure due to Tropical Storm Agaton has reached P1.45 billion, according to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

Citing a report from the DPWH Bureau of Maintenance, Secretary Roger Mercado said in Eastern Visayas alone, damage to infrastructure was initially placed at P1.3 billion – P1.27 billion to roads and P30 million to bridges.

In Soccksargen, damage to national roads was estimated at P6.06 million while Caraga reported P145.4 million worth of damaged roads and bridges.

The DPWH said it has cleared and reopened 47 of the 50 affected roads in Western Visayas, Central Visayas and Eastern Visayas.

DPWH quick response teams are still clearing sections of three national roads in Leyte and Southern Leyte.

Mercado said the remaining impassable roads are targeted for reopening before the end of the month.

Portions of the Maasin City-Buenavista Bontoc Hilongos Road, San Miguel-Conception-Daang Maharlika Road and Bil-atan, San Ricardo-San Roque Liloan Road in Southern Leyte remain impassable due to landslides and rockslides.

Warning signs have been installed while DPWH conducts clearing operations.

Typhoon names delisting

Given the death toll and damage recorded, Agaton is likely to be removed from the list of names being given to typhoons entering the country.

Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration head Vicente Malano said certain criteria are followed in the delisting of typhoon names.

At present, he said the death toll should be at least 300 while damage should be about P1 billion.

Damage to agriculture due to Agaton as of Thursday was almost P3 billion. – Michael Punongbayan