TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol, Jan. 27 (PIA) --The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Bohol Third District Engineering Office assured that the Makapiko Bridge remains safe and passable to motorists even if there has been some soil erosion at the bottom part of the said structure.

The DPWH Bohol Third District Engineering Office released a public advisory on Jan. 26, after the office received calls of concern on a post circulating on social media with speculations on the structural integrity of the Makapiko Bridge.

The said post advised the motorists not to take the Balilihan-Hanopol-Batuan Road route, specifically along the said bridge, due to its so-called “unsafe” status and instead to use the Loay Interior Road.

Immediately after the report broke, the DPWH team, consisting of technical personnel along with the maintenance group, were deployed for a quick inspection on the area of concern. 

After a thorough inspection, no significant untoward incident was observed, according to the public advisory.

The DPWH Bohol Third District Engineering Office ensured the public of the safety of the Makapiko Bridge as it has undergone the annual bridge inspection as part of the mandate of their office.

Although defects are visible below the deck of the bridge (particularly slope protection at abutment A), palliative measures were done to ensure that the bridge is safe and passable, the DPWH Bohol Third District Engineering Office assured.

The said defects were brought about by the impact of Typhoon Odette in December of 2021, but no new defects were observed based on regular monitoring.

A budget allocation from the General Appropriations Act (GAA) for fiscal year 2023 will fund a major repair work for slope protection and on the damaged abutment of the bridge.

The DPWH assured that repair works will start as soon as funds will be available.  (ECB/PIA7 Bohol)