Several Cebu City barangays remain isolated 2 weeks after ‘Tino’ onslaught

Local

EVEN as Cebu City rushes to reopen major thoroughfares after Typhoon Tino, concerns are mounting over the slow restoration of access to several upland barangays still cut off by blocked roads and damaged bridges.

Mayor Nestor Archival acknowledged that while most lowland areas are now fully passable, the city continues to grapple with “critical” access issues in the mountains.

He said he was worried over delayed aid delivery and prolonged isolation of affected communities.

“One of the biggest areas we’re working on right now is from mainland Cebu to Lusaran. The second is from Tagbao to Mangabon,” Archival said.

He added that nearly all primary city roads have reopened.

“Dinhi sa atong siyudad, ang kadadalan is 99 percent or 100 percent na ang maagian,” he said.

Archival noted the progress following the city’s report that 88.89 percent of roads had been cleared as of November 15.

Despite the progress, several routes remain closed due to debris, landslides, and structural damage. Among the fully impassable areas are Buot Bridge, Cahumayan Drive, Tawon 1, and Mangabon.

Other interior roads, particularly in Adlaon, Malubog, Babag, Tabunan, and surrounding mountain sitios, are only partially passable, with residents forced to navigate narrow, debris-lined paths or take significantly longer detours.

Archival said motorists traveling to upland communities currently rely on alternative routes through Mandaue City and from Barangay San Jose to Barangay Pulangbato.

Damaged bridges in Bacayan and Lusaran have emerged as a major point of concern, with the city requesting technical assistance from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to determine their structural integrity.

“Gitan-aw nila ang bridge nato sa Bacayan because ang moagi dira is about 70,000 vehicles and nagserve sad ni sa mga dagko nga truck padung sa atong landfills,” Archival said.

DPWH engineers reportedly noted defects, including exposed cables on the Bacayan Bridge, but assessed that the issues were “not very critical.”

Still, they recommended an “immediate and comprehensive structural investigation” by the city and the Department of Engineering and Public Works (DEPW).

Following the inspection, the DEPW ordered the enforcement of a 6-ton weight limit on the Bacayan Bridge beginning November 17.

Engineers found damaged concrete beneath the bridge deck, small cracks on its girders, and accumulated debris around the piers, prompting warnings that continued heavy loading could worsen the deterioration.

The city has urged all commuters, cargo operators, and transport groups to strictly observe the restrictions while repair plans and engineering assessments are underway.

Archival reiterated that restoring full access to upland barangays remains a top priority, noting that clearing teams, heavy equipment, and engineering personnel have been deployed to multiple sites since the storm passed.

“We are focused on opening all affected areas as soon as possible,” he said.

The city has yet to issue a definitive timeline for the full reopening of damaged routes, but officials say assessments and safety checks will continue in the coming days.(TGP)