Thursday, January 1, 2015

Water, bad roads, blackout a big problem in Caraga


BUTUAN CITY: Landslides from several places in Caraga caused by typhoon Seniang forced hundreds of motorists to walk, while many passengers riding public transport also got stranded along the national highways, a new report reaching The Philippine Preview said.

The DPWH said several roads along national highway in Tabon-Tabon, El Rio and Mahayahay in Sibagat, Agusan del Sur were destroyed and in ruins.

The devastation of said highways affected the daily travel of vacationers going to Davao provinces on the southeastern section and to Surigao, Cagayan de Oro in the northwest.

As of Dec. 31, only single motorcycles can pass through the highway, leaving four-wheeled vehicles from both ends stranded for three days now.

Sibagat, Agusan del Sur city hall personnel Juliet Cinco said she already informed the DPWH on the situation and that the congestion is increasing and getting worse every day.

She hopes the DPWH will solve the road problem, about three kilometers now in length, which made motorists and other passengers spend New Year along the road where they got stuck.

Some have opted to walk the distance and transfer to waiting vehicles on the other side and go to their respective homes while some stayed put and spent New Year with bread, coffee and eggs bought from itinerant vendors.

The DPWH told The Philippine Preview its holiday and no work for the meantime.

Aside from the bad road condition and absence of water, a massive blackout is also a experienced as a tower owned by the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) toppled down in RTR, Agusan del Norte.

NGCP’s Melfrance Capulong said in a radio interview it will take a week to repair the collapsed tower and restore power in the area. (WITH REPORTS FROM BEN SERRANO)