Barring any hitches, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is eying to have a soft opening of the new Loay’s Clarin Bridge next week to replace the collapsed old Clarin bridge were four (4) people died and more than 20 persons survived the ordeal.
The information was revealed by DPWH Bohol 3rd Engineering District chief Engr. Magiting Cruz in a telephone interview with The Bohol Tribune on Apr. 29, 2022
He said the DPWH and the contractor are fast tracking the completion of the approach which is the part of the bridge that remains unfinished.
“Once matapos [ang approach] talagang mag oopen na tayo po,” Cruz told The Bohol Tribune.
He said that limestone will be the primary material that will be used to complete the approaches in combination with other materials.
Cruz said the bridge itself is already completed sans the approach even before the old bridge collapsed. It is not true that the new bridge will be opened to traffic as a knee-jerk reaction to what happened on Apr. 27, 2022.
“Talagang nakaschedule din pong iopen [ang new bridge]… it so happen na bumagsak po yung ating old bridge po,” Cruz explained.
The bridge project is constructed by VT Lao Construction in a joint venture with an Indonesian firm, according to Cruz.
He said the bridge construction’s completion was delayed by several factors including the delivery of materials imported from Vietnam, the weather condition and the delay brought about by the pandemic among others contributed to the delay in the completion of the bridge.
“Ginamit ang old bridge kasi wala namang ibang paglagyan ng detour, ginamit din yan para madeliver ang mga materials [sa bridge],” Cruz explained.
He said that the old bridge has been retrofitted and the load capacity of the old bridge was being monitored, unluckily the bridge was possibly overloaded during the moment that the bridge collapsed.
“Maaring nagkaroon ng overloading po talaga… kaya bumigay, bumagsak ang tulay,” he said.
At the same time, he admitted that the old bridge was already weak with corroded portions.
He maintained however, the old bridge was safe to use and was also being used by heavy vehicles especially those carrying construction materials which were used to build the new bridge.
When asked that there are commuters who complained of long traffic standstill, Cruz denied heavy traffic near the old bridge but eventually qualified that there could be times in the day that traffic, especially during rush hour, was heavy on the approach of the old bridge.
SALVAGE OPERATION
Loay mayor Hilario Ayuban revealed in a telephone interview on Apr. 29, 2022 said that the salvage operations have started. The operations have shifted in the recovery of the vehicles that remain under water and will continue until all vehicles are recovered. There are 15 vehicles that fell after the bridge collapsed, Ayuban explained.
He also revealed that he is going to issue an executive order to form an investigative body that will be composed of personnel from the Philippine National Police, Department of the Interior and Local Government, Philippine Coast Guard, the Local
Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council and the Bureau of Fire Protection among others.
For his part, Ayuban said that the incident that happened in his town is tragic.
“It is very tragic nga nahitabo sa Loay. Dili lang sa Loay kay nahitabo lang sa Loay, daghang casualty ug survivors nga dili taga Loay from all over the province na. Naa gani nga foreigner. Sad event today,” he told The Bohol Tribune.
MALACAÑANG’S REACTION
Malacañang on Apr. 28, 2022, condoled with the families of those who perished in the tragic incident after the bridge collapsed on Wednesday afternoon.
“We express our condolences to the families of the victims who perished with the collapse of a bridge in Loay town in Bohol,” acting presidential spokesperson and Communications secretary Martin Andanar said in a press statement.
“Authorities are currently conducting an investigation even as we assure everyone, especially affected residents and communities, of government assistance,” he added.
VICTIMS
As of Apr. 29, 2021 these are the names of those who perished and survived.
The Fatalities
1. Michael Ouschan, Austria
2. Arniel Cilos, Dauis
3. Emilia A. Gemina, Loay
4. Epifhany C. Onada, Tagbilaran City
The Survivors:
1. Marian Hazel Aviles, Pateros
2. Jopol lan Cuenco Ancheta II, Cavite
3. Ralph Esma, Cebu
4. Dionesio Laolao, Panglao
5. Luz Laolao, Panglao
6. Louella Mercado, Alegria Sur, Loay
7. Ronald Jesus Cruzrojas, Canmanico, Valencia
8. Alvin Acorda, Loay
9. Gerry Rellita, Loon
10. Julia Ousxhan, Austria
11. Digna Solis, Loay
12. Alberto Manuel Dela Serna, Tagbilaran City
13. Gian Arlo Gagni, Tagbilaran City
14. Gemma Dela Cruz, Dauis
15. Bonifacio Mipana, Dauis
16. John Ryan Aba-a, Loay
17. Mariana Ysabel Gemina, Loay
18. Junryle Malig-on, Alburquerque
19. Melanio Caberte Jr., Loboc
20. Samson Caberte, Loboc
21. Jobert Pequit, Loay
22. Edgar Paraiso, Loay
23. Christian Jake, Loay
24. Sofia Asombrado Monungolh, (address undetermined).