TRAFFIC is again moving along the Opol-Igpit Bridge after the damaged bridge was repaired at about 3 p.m. Wednesday, March 8, an official of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)-Northern Mindanao said.
DPWH spokesperson Vina Maghinay said the bridge is now passable except for trailer trucks weighing more than 20 tons.
Maghinay said construction workers have been working through the night to repair the damage and ensure that it will not collapse again.
“Gitambakan, gipalig-onan ang nadaot nga side, nadugay siya kay pati materials na-traffic, unya sigeg ulan (The restoration has been delayed because even the materials for the reconstruction are stuck in traffic, plus the nonstop rain since the bridge collapsed),” she said.
According to DPWH, the soil in the ramp leading to the unfinished bridge was softened by the incessant rains and by water leaking from a broken water pipe of the Cagayan de Oro City Water District.
Traffic was at a standstill after the collapse Tuesday, stranding hundreds of motorists and causing some to miss their flights since the bridge is along the only route from Cagayan de Oro City to Laguindingan Airport.
Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office head Fernando Dy Jr. said the travel time from Cagayan de Oro to Laguindigan Airport has reached up to six hours because of the damaged bridge.
Dy said several commuters complained about missed flights because of the traffic.
The Provincial Government has also established a command center near the area to assist commuters and motorists, Dy said.
In response to the clamor of passengers who missed their flights, Philippine Airlines (PAL) issued an advisory Wednesday, March 8.
“Please be advised that passengers who missed/will miss their flights out of Cagayan de Oro due to the collapse of Igpit Bridge in Opol, Misamis Oriental, may re-book within 30 days from original flight date or within ticket validity period and rebooking penalties shall be waived,” the PAL advisory said.
Passengers of March 7 to 9 for Cagayan de Oro to Manila and for Cagayan de Oro to Cebu flights are covered by this waiver of rebooking fees, it added.
Laguindingan Airport manager Jose Budiongan said although a lot of passengers missed their scheduled flights, the airlines have been generous enough to allow them to take the next flight.
Budiongan also noted about 70 percent of the airport's workforce failed to appear on Tuesday and Wednesday adding that he had to direct the airport employees to stay overnight at the airport facility.
