Latest news with #OfficeofCivilDefense
GMA Network
29-05-2025
- Automotive
- GMA Network
Tacloban under state of emergency amid San Juanico Bridge concerns
The Tacloban City Council declared Thursday a state of emergency as access to San Juanico Bridge, which links the islands of Samar and Leyte in Eastern Visayas, remains limited ahead of planned repairs on the structure. According to a statement by the city's information office, the declaration seeks to quickly mobilize resources while ensuring public safety. "With restricted access to San Juanico, the main gateway in and out of Tacloban, the city is facing serious concerns related to economic flow, emergency response, and supply chain delays," the statement read. It added, "This declaration allows the local government to act faster, allocate emergency funds, and coordinate with national agencies for support." In the same announcement, the Tacloban information office noted that Section 16 of the Local Government Code and other national disaster protocols provides for a state of emergency declaration "when public safety is at risk or when immediate action is needed to respond to a crisis or disruption of essential services." San Juanico Bridge, a major artery for the transport of goods, medical supplies, and essential travel, has experienced restricted access in recent days, raising concerns over economic disruptions and emergency response delays. The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) has said the cost of emergency repairs on the San Juanico Bridge could reach some P500 million. A recent assessment by the DPWH raised concerns about the bridge's structural integrity. As part of precautions, DPWH has temporarily prohibited vehicles weighing more than three tons from crossing the 2.16-kilometer bridge. Since May 18, pedestrians have been prohibited from crossing the bridge on foot. Instead, they should use coasters and light vehicles for their safety. The Samar Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council earlier recommended to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan the declaration of a state of emergency in the province. Built in 1969 and completed in 1973, San Juanico Bridge is the the third longest bridge spanning a body of seawater in the Philippines. — Sherylin Untalan/ VDV, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
19-05-2025
- Politics
- GMA Network
Palace wants public to look at San Juanico rehab in a positive way
Malacañang on Monday said the rehabilitation of the San Juanico Bridge in Eastern Visayas should be looked at in a positive way, saying this will prevent future accidents. ''Ito lamang po ang una nating ipaparating, ito'y ayon sa ating Pangulo, ang pagrerehabilitate po, masasabi natin magkakaroon ng epekto sa taumbayan, sa concerned citizens na nandoon sa lugar pero tingnan po natin ito sa mas positibong aspeto dahil ito po ay rehabilitation,'' Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro said in a briefing. (This is what we'll say, this is from our President, the rehabilitation will really affect the public, our concerned citizens in the area but let's look at it in a positive way since it's a rehabilitation.) ''Mas nanaisin po talaga na maiwasan kung anumang maaaring idulot na disgrasya kung ito man ay di maaayos nang maaga,'' Castro added. (We prefer to prevent future accidents from happening.) The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) earlier said the cost of the emergency repair of the bridge could reach P500 million. According to the Department of Public Works and Highways, the recent assessment raised concerns about San Juanico Bridge's structural integrity. It temporarily prohibited vehicles weighing more than three tons from crossing the 2.16-kilometer bridge. Authorities are already on blue alert following the enforcement of the vehicle weight limit. A blue alert status means both agencies are at a heightened preparedness and alertness. —AOL, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
18-05-2025
- Automotive
- GMA Network
OCD: San Juanico Bridge emergency repair could reach P500M
The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) on Sunday said the cost of the emergency repair of the San Juanico Bridge in Eastern Visayas could reach P500 million. 'Very rough estimate po ito, wala pang masyadong detalye. Between ?300 to ?500 million kung kinakailangan pang repair (this is a rough estimate and there are no details yet. The repair would need between P300 million to P500 million),' OCD administrator Undersecretary Ariel Nepomuceno told Super Radyo dzBB. He added the government is studying whether the funds could be acquired from the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management fund since the Department of Public Works and Highways has yet to allocate funds for the planned repair. According to DPWH, the recent assessment raised concerns about San Juanico Bridge's structural integrity. As part of precautions, DPWH temporarily prohibits vehicles weighing more than three tons from crossing the 2.16-kilometer bridge. 'Those traversing the bridge must use the centerline, proceeding ONE AT A TIME, and should follow all on-site traffic directions,' the department said in a social media post. 'This measure is strictly enforced to ensure motorist safety, mitigate risks associated with identified damage, and facilitate essential repair and maintenance work,' it added. Vehicles exceeding the weight limit may use the roll-on/roll-off (RORO) vessels in the following ports: Tacloban Port Calbayog Port Catbalogan Port Biliran Port Ormoc Port Manguinoo Port, Calbayog Samar Hilongos Port Maasin Port Naval Port Palompon Port Calubian Port Villaba Port Blue Alert The Office of Civil Defense - Eastern Visayas and the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council are on blue alert following the enforcement of the vehicle weight limit. A blue alert status means both agencies are at a heightened preparedness and alertness. 'This alert is issued in anticipation of slow-onset disasters or potential escalation of the situation. It underscores the need for heightened readiness, proactive measures, and strengthened inter-agency coordination to ensure the smooth flow of essential goods and services while mitigating emerging risks and disruptions,' the OCD said in a statement. A San Juanico Task Group has been formed to oversee security, safety, and operational coordination in the area. Meanwhile, the Samar Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council on Saturday recommended the declaration of a State of Emergency in Samar to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan. Starting Sunday, May 18, pedestrians are prohibited from crossing the bridge on foot. Instead, they will be using coasters and light vehicles as a safety measure. Built in 1969 and completed in 1973, San Juanico Bridge is the the third longest bridge spanning a body of seawater in the Philippines, connecting the islands of Samar and Leyte. —Mariel Celine Serquiña/RF, GMA Integrated News
Arab News
02-04-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
Philippines steps up disaster preparedness in wake of deadly Myanmar quake
Manila: Philippine officials are calling for enhanced disaster preparedness following the massive earthquake in Myanmar, warning that the archipelago nation is at risk of a devastating seismic event. The Philippines, an archipelago of more than 7,000 islands, lies along the so-called Ring of Fire, an arc of faults around the Pacific Ocean where the majority of the world's volcanic eruptions and earthquakes occur. For the past decade, the Philippine government has been preparing for the 'Big One,' a 7.2-magnitude earthquake that experts say could impact Manila and its surrounding areas. 'We must double our efforts, especially as the Philippines is at risk for the 'Big One'— a potentially catastrophic earthquake that could result in 30,000 to 50,000 casualties,' Ariel F. Nepomuceno, administrator of the Office of Civil Defense, has said. 'The most critical step in enhancing our earthquake preparedness is to implement engineering solutions, such as retrofitting essential structures like schools and health centers.' The 7.2-magnitude earthquake forecast by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology was based on historical records of fault movements, as seismic events are impossible to predict. Philippine officials have been calling for increased disaster preparedness after the 7.7-magnitude earthquake that hit central Myanmar on Friday killed more than 2,700 people, injured more than 4,500 others, and destroyed scores of buildings. 'We're part of the Pacific Ring of Fire and every now and then we have earthquakes, we'll be jolted by earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and sometimes tsunamis. And for all these disasters, the best course of action is always preparedness,' PHIVOLCS Director Dr. Teresito Bacolcol said during a press briefing on Wednesday. 'We have to make sure that our buildings, our houses are earthquake resilient — meaning, we have to follow the minimum engineering standards when we construct our houses or buildings.' In the Manila capital region, at least 124 public buildings have been retrofitted, or strengthened to make it more earthquake-resistant, with plans to do so for 500 more, according to the Department of Public Works and Highways. The Department of Science and Technology, which presides over PHIVOLCS, is also planning to hold earthquake seminars in different parts of the country this year, according to the state-run Philippine News Agency. Meanwhile, the Office of Civil Defense is working on improving the National Simultaneous Earthquake Drill by adding more scenarios, including nighttime drills and tsunami preparedness. One of the deadliest recorded earthquakes in the Philippines took place in 1990, when a 7.8 magnitude earthquake killed nearly 2,000 people in the country's north.
