Metro road damage: P15 million

Damage to national roads in Metro Manila has been estimated by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) at P15-million as some roads in Taguig and Pateros yesterday remained submerged by floodwaters. National Capital Region officer-in-charge and Assistant Regional Director Rafael Yabut III, in a report to Director Salvador Pleyto, said that the number of roads damaged was only 27.91 percent or less than one-third of the total 498 national roads in the metropolis. The percentage of damage is .32 percent (roughly 4 hectares out of the total road area of 1,269 hectares). NCR Maintenance Division chief Anatalio Atienza estimated the repair cost at P380 per square meter, with an average thickness of five centimeters or two inches. The unit cost includes the cost of materials, labor and use of equipment. Yabut said "Operation Pothole," which began last Monday and is set to end on Nov. 25, currently employs 28 crews working round-the-clock.– Jerry Botial