At least 12 bridges are up for major repair in Eastern Samar province this year to ensure road network reliability, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) reported on Monday.

DPWH Eastern Samar district engineering office chief Alvin Ignacio said the repair of bridges seeks to prevent significant damage to the bridge and strengthen the structure to withstand earthquakes and floodings.

The government has allocated a PHP249 million budget, specifically intended for the repair of bridge approaches, reconstruction of the bridge deck, application of carbon fiber to girders and slab, and installation of solar lights.

“The annual bridge condition survey conducted by the accredited bridge inspectorate in the district office helps identify and select priority bridges for rehabilitation and retrofitting,” he said in a statement.

These 12 bridges are Bayo Bridge, Pagbabangnan Bridge, Limlim Bridge, Malobago Bridge, Taft Bridge, and Sulat Bridge along Wright-Taft-Borongan Road; Macabut Bridge, Suribao Bridge, Can-obing Bridge, Llorente Bridge along Borongan-Guiuan Road; Oras Bridge along Junction Buenavista-Lawaan-Marabut Road; and Binacalan Bridge along Junction Buenavista-Lawaan-Marabut Road.

Ignacio directed all project engineers to fast-track the completion of repair works before the end of the year to avoid inconvenience to motorists.

This year’s budget for bridge rehabilitation in Eastern Samar is more than double the allotment in the past two years.

In 2021, the province got PHP108 million to repair 18 bridges. The budget slightly went up to PHP111 million in 2022 for the upgrading of 11 bridges.

DPWH Eastern Samar district engineering office has an ongoing annual bridge condition survey. The result will be the basis for future funding proposals for the rehabilitation and retrofitting of national bridges. (PNA)