📋 Tender Overview
CEBU CITY, Cebu (PIA) -- The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has deployed engineers to northern Cebu to conduct structural assessments of schools and public infrastructure damaged by the magnitude 6.9 earthquake that struck the province on Sept. 30, 2025. DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon ordered the deployment of two teams of engineers from the DPWH Central Office Bureau of Design, Construction, and Maintenance to the affected areas under the Earthquake Quick Response Program (EQRP) to assess structural damage and support clearing operations. Developed in consultation with engineering experts, the EQRP is designed to evaluate structural damage costs and identify priorities for recovery and rehabilitation. Thirty-eight engineers were deployed to Cebu on Oct. 4 to assist local authorities in evaluating school buildings and other key public infrastructure. During a post-calamity damage assessment briefing with the Office of the Civil Defense 7, DPWH reported that they prioritized inspecting more than 1,000 school buildings from 134 damaged schools under the jurisdiction of the Cebu 4th District Engineering Office. Ang ginagawa namin ngayon is to conduct the earthquake response program wherein ina-assess namin yung school buildings kung safe pa ba siyang gamitin, said Luvincci Tan, Engineer III from the DPWH Bureau of Design. (We are currently conducting an earthquake response program to assess if school buildings are still safe for use.) So far yung mga naka-prioritize ngayon is yung mga school buildings, iche-check pa namin yan, kaya kami nagkaroon ngayon ng coordination ngayon with OCD, he added. (Right now, our focus is on school facilities. We are coordinating closely with OCD to ensure all structures are properly checked.) The team also inspected five conventional bridges and two long-span bridges in Cebu City, a local government building in Borbon town, and a health facility in Daanbantayan. Tan said the first batch of engineers also evaluated roads and bridges leading to Bogo City to ensure that relief goods could reach affected areas without delay. Assessment and safety labeling DPWH engineers classify inspected structures under three safety categories: Inspected: Safe for use, with only minor debris clearing needed, Restricted: Certain areas or classrooms are unsafe until repairs are completed, and Off-limits: Structures requiring major evaluation or retrofitting before occupancy. Tan expressed the agencys goal to complete the structural assessment of all remaining uninspected school buildings within one week. We will assess the damage to determine the economic cost incurred by the damaged infrastructure. We are aiming to finish our EQRP in 1,104 school buildings by October 12, noted Tan. As the government continues to deliver aid to quake-affected areas and residents, the DPWH reaffirmed its commitment to public safety and Cebus recovery, ensuring that all rehabilitation efforts are backed by accurate, science-based structural evaluations. (RGC/PIA7 Cebu)
