“When are they going to start the rehabilitation of the damaged bridge in Dapdap Alang Alang Leyte?”

This is the common questions of commuters travelling from Tacloban to Ormoc and other destinations that pass by the said bridge.

It’s taking a toll on the budget of ordinary commuters aside from the longer time that it will take for them to reach their respective destinations.

If you are travelling from Tacloban to Ormoc for example, either you are going to take public transportation or a private vehicle, you have to stop before the approach of dapdap bridge to disembark and take another vehicle that will take you to your destination.

As per experience of isumat news team the other day, you have to spend almost double than the usual fare under the circumstances. If you are in a hurry or you have an appointment to catch up and you don’t want to be late you have to pay more under the “pakyaw System”

If commuters are complaining about the situation, enterprising residents in the area are enjoying the good business brought about by the closure of the bridge.

There are eateries, cell phone charging stations even the use of their comfort rooms for a fee.

Though there’s an ongoing construction of a detour bridge as a temporary remedy to the problem, there’s no definite answer from DPWH officials as to when are they going to start of the actual rehabilitation because of the usual processes that have to be observed in government projects such as the submission of reports and the preparation of program of works and the allocation of the necessary funding.

We are calling the attention of DPWH officials not only from the respective engineering districts that has jurisdictions over the areas with damaged bridges but the regional and national officials to fast tract the rehabilitation of these bridges as it is also affecting the economic activities in the region.

Here are pictures that were taken by isumat news team during a visit to the site.

The extentent of the damage on the approach of the bridgethe extent of the damage of the dike of the DAPDAP River. What can yo say about the workmanship and the materials used in the construction of the dike?

Another angle under the bridgeAnother angle under the bridge

another angle of the damaged dike along DAPDAP River in Alang Alang Leyte.Another angle of the damaged dike along DAPDAP River in Alang Alang Leyte.

There is always oppurtunity in crisisThere is always oppurtunity in crisis

some of the small businesses that were established by residents after the closure of the bridge.Some of the small businesses that were established by residents after the closure of the bridge.

A sort of a Transport Terminal was established overnight due to the closure of the bridgeA sort of a Transport Terminal was established overnight due to the closure of the bridge

Construction of a detour as a temporary remedy.Construction of a detour as a temporary remedy.