The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is intensifying relief and rehabilitation efforts following the back-to-back impacts of Typhoons Tino and Uwan, which left widespread damage across several regions of the Philippines.
Secretary Vince Dizon underscored the urgency of the government’s response, saying that, under the direct orders of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., agencies must be on the ground to personally assist in the rehabilitation of affected communities and aid victims of the calamities.
“Immediately, nagtatrabaho na po tayo para mabigyan ng immediate relief itong mga kababayan natin tinamaan po nitong sakuna,” Dizon said during DZRH's Dos Por Dos interview.
According to Dizon, DPWH teams have been conducting continuous clearing and repair operations in the hardest-hit areas, including Catanduanes, Camarines Sur, Albay, and Kabikulan. Despite the consecutive disasters, the department is working to restore normalcy as quickly as possible.
“Kahit na sunod-sunod, pinipilit po talaga nating bilisan at mag-normalize kaagad-agad kahit pa paano yung buhay ng mga kababayan natin. Dito po sa Kabikulan, tuloy-tuloy yung pag-clear natin,” Dizon said.
The DPWH secretary also reported that many roads and coastal areas suffered landslides and flooding, leaving communities isolated. “Maraming tinamaan ng mga landslide, maraming pinasok na tubig dagat, [apektado] itong mga kalye natin. Kaya po hanggang ngayon, tuloy-tuloy ang clearing natin. Pero marami na rin po ang ating naayos na mga area at nabuksan,” Dizon reported.
One of the most severely affected areas was Dipaculao in Aurora, where storm surges destroyed entire road pavements. Dizon further shared that the DPWH has already made the roads passable, with reconstruction underway.
“Nasira po talaga yung buong pavement… pero ngayon po, na-patag na po natin yan at passable na po siya as of yesterday morning,” Dizon explained.
“Pupunta nga po ako ng Aurora sa biyernes para i-supervise po mismo natin yung pagsisimula na ng pagsasayos ulit ng kalye. Pero syempre, kailangan ma-design na natin ito para mapagawing mas matibay dahil dito sa nakita nating pagwasak nitong storm surge dahil sa Uwan,” he added.
Meanwhile, northern provinces, including Isabela, Cagayan, and Pangasinan, are also receiving priority attention. Many coastal highways, classrooms, and hospitals were damaged by the typhoons’ strong winds.
Dizon affirmed that the DPWH is committed to restoring infrastructure quickly while improving resilience against future storms.
“So kailangan po lahat ng mga nasirang mga Highway, nasirang mga kalye, eh kailangan natin bilis-bilisan po ang pagpapagawa,” Dizon emphasized.
Authorities are urging residents to remain cautious as recovery operations continue, assuring that government resources are fully deployed to help communities return to normalcy.
