The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) estimates the initial damage estimate of the Taal Volcano eruption to national roads could be at P137.16 million, citing data from its maintenance bureau.
In a news statement, the agency said the eruption and the earthquakes that came with it caused major cracks and settlements on national roads surrounding the lake in Batangas, namely Palico-Balayan-Batangas Road; Sinisian Bridge; Lemery Taal Diversion Road; Diokno Highway; Tanauan-Talisay-Tagaytay Road and Talisay-Laurel-Agoncillo Road.
“DPWH Quick Response Teams will fix affected sections, and resume clearing operations once areas are deemed safe by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology-Department of Science and Technology,” the statement read.
While all roads remain passable, three national roads were closed due to the government-mandated lockdown. They are: Palico-Balayan-Batangas Road, K0127+050- K0132+600 Mahabang Ludlod Junction, Lemery Town Proper, Batangas; Tanauan-Talisay-Tagaytay Road, K0064+-398-K0085+673, Talisay, Batangas; Talisay-Laurel-Agoncillo Road, Laurel Section, K0081+-224-K0102+815, Batangas, Agoncillo Section, K0102+271-K0114+-254, and K0114+-254-K0121+074 sections.