BATANGAS CITY, Philippinews — The collapse of a major bridge here at the height of Typhoon “Santi” last Oct. 31 has disrupted the supply of fuel, plastic products, cement, flour and other grains to Metro Manila, a congressman said.
Rep. Hermilando Mandanas (2nd district) said he has reported the situation to President Macapagal-Arroyo.
Mandanas said the collapse of the Bridge of Promise has all but stopped the transport of 70 percent of liquefied petroleum gas supply from refiners in the province to Metro Manila.
He said cargo trucks had to travel 20 kilometers more to Metro Manila as a result of the bridge collapse.
The fuel depot of Philippine Airlines in Barangay Pinamucan here also suffered as a result of the bridge collapse. The transport of fuel from the depot, which supplies 30 percent of all aviation fuel used by local airlines, was also disrupted.
The supply of plastic resin, used in the manufacture of plastic products, was also disrupted.
Jonathan Diaz, superintendent for operations of JG Summit Petrochem, said 5 percent of his firm’s resin goes to a sister company, 90 percent is used locally while the remaining resin production is exported.
Diaz said the firm suffered heavily from the bridge collapse.
According to Mandanas, the supply of cement in Metro Manila also faces disruption.
He said 30 percent of cement used in Metro Manila are manufactured in two plants—Cemex and Fortune—located in areas that have become isolated as a result of the bridge collapse.
Two plants of San Miguel Corp. and Purefoods also could not deliver flour and other grains as a result of the bridge collapse.
The destruction of the bridge, the congressman said, rendered half of the population of the second district (including Batangas City and the towns of San Jose, San Pascual, San Luis, Bauan and Lobo) immobile.
A man and his son died when their car fell with the bridge.
Engineer Winifredo Olores, of the Department of Public Works and Highways 2nd engineering district, said debris carried by strong current in the Calumbang River slammed into the center post of the bridge, causing it to collapse.
Olores said the bridge was 45 years old and built during the administration of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos. Marrah Erika Lasaba, Inquirer Southern Luzon
