Cagayan road systems, gov’t schools suffer brunt of ‘Marce’

Road systems and other government infrastructure like schools in Cagayan suffered the brunt of Marce’s wrath.

The public works department in Region II initially declared there were numerous roads and bridges that were rendered impassable as of Friday morning.

The Batanes District Engineering Office reported that the San Vicente-Savidug-Chavayan-Sumnanga- Nakanmuan Road (S00003ST), K0018+700, in Barangay Nakanmuan, Sabtang, Batanes was shut down because of rock slides.

The Cagayan 1st District Engineering Office also reported that the Junction Gattaran - Cumao-Capissayan-Sta. Margarita Bolos Road , K569+000 - K569+030 at Piña Weste, Gattaran town was not passable as of Friday morning because of high water elevation.

Motorists were thus advised to take the alternate route of Baybayog-Baggao-Dalin-Sta Margarita Road.

A number of bridges were also rendered impassable: Anquiray-Abolo Steel Bridge, the Annabuculan-Tana Bridge and the Cordova-Goran Bridge in Amulung, Cagayan couldn’t be used by motorists as these bridges were under river water.

While, almost all the GI sheet roofing of the Buguey North Central School buildings were ripped by the very strong winds Thursday afternoon, the Cagayan Provincial Information Office (CPIO) reported citing aerial inspection assessment by the Buguey LGU, thus, all learning materials were destroyed. Even school facilities at the Licerio Antiporda National High School Main campus were not spared, reports added.

Very strong winds and rains also virtually destroyed even a concrete house in Abulug town, as shown by a photograph of villager Jackielyn Batulan showing the bungalow’s middle portion falling to the ground, thus, couldn’t anymore house the family who owns it.

Several houses and buildings were also damaged in Ballesteros, Aparri and Pamplona towns, some already unsafe.

Cagayan Governor Manuel Mamba with retired PNP Chief Edgar "Aglipay Friday morning brought messages of hope for a bounce back while overseeing relief goods distribution to evacuees in Gonzaga town.  According to the Gonzaga Municipal Social Welfare Development Office (MSWDO), at least 704 families (1,035 individuals) were brought to safety from barangays Minanga, Caroan, and Pateng.

Communities in Buguey, Lal-lo, Allacapan, remain to be under water Friday, the CPIO added.

Social welfare chief Rexton Gatchalian is heading to Cagayan province on Sunday morning to oversee the continuing government relief operations in Cagayan province.