DPWH: No major quake damage on Dinagat, Surigao roads, bridges

MANILA, Philippines - The 5.9 magnitude earthquake that struck Mindanao last Friday afternoon did not leave any major structural damage on public roads and bridges on Dinagat Island and Surigao City, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) yesterday said in its initial assessment. 

DPWH Undersecretary for Regional Operations Romeo Momo said they sent engineers from their Caraga regional office and district office last Saturday to assess the conditions of public infrastructure on Dinagat Island, which was the center of the earthquake, and in Surigao City, the capital of Surigao del Norte. 

“Immediately after the earthquake, the DPWH sent engineers. The final assessment of our team was that there was no major damage on roads and bridges on Dinagat Island and Surigao City,” Momo said. 

On the condition of public buildings, he said, “There is still an undergoing assessment but so far there are no reported major damage. But we would wait for their final report this coming week.”

The inspection of the structural durability of public buildings would include public hospitals, health centers, government-run schools, municipal buildings, and city halls.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology recorded the epicenter of the 3:58 p.m. earthquake last Friday at the west side of Dinagat.

The tremor was felt at Intensity 6 in Surigao City; Intensity 5 in General Luna, Surigao del Norte; Basilisa, Dinagat; and San Ricardo, Southern Leyte; Intensity 4 in Carrascal, Surigao del Sur; Intensity 3 in Tolosa and Tacloban, Leyte; Davao City; Bislig City; and Borongan, Oras and Dolores, all in Eastern Samar; Intensity 2 in Cebu City and Sulat, Eastern Samar; and Intensity 1 in Hibok-Hibok, Camiguin.