LILOAN, Southern Leyte—The Department of Public Works and Highways is currently strengthening the Liloan Bridge here that connects Leyte’s mainland to Panaon Island.
The P50-million project, one of the major upgrade works since the bridge was built, involves concrete jacketing on piers and application of carbon fiber sheets as well as carbon fiber plates.
Jacketing is done by application of a new layer of concrete to strengthen the bridge piers.
Carbon fiber sheets and plates are materials used in strengthening bridges to increase a structure’s load capacity.
“This project is a priority of the district since there is no alternate bridge that connects Panaon Island to the mainland. Based on findings of experts from Jica (Japan International Cooperation Agency), the bridge badly needs strengthening,” said DPWH Southern Leyte district engineer Ma. Margarita Junia.
Completion of Liloan Bridge rehabilitation is one of the projects recently delegated by the DPWH Eastern Visayas regional office to Southern Leyte office for supervision.
The project is said to be the second major upgrade of the 291-meter bridge commonly known to locals as Wawa Bridge.
The structure got its major repair after it was slightly damaged by the earthquake that jolted Bohol province in 2013.
Southern Leyte Rep. Roger Mercado backed the project, saying strengthening the bridge would ensure that Panaon Island is always accessible especially during emergencies.
Panaon Island is composed of the towns of Liloan, San Francisco, Pintuyan, and San Ricardo.
The lawmaker noted that some villages in these towns were prone to landslides and rockslides.
Mercado said stable infrastructure also supported the tourism development.
The small island, known for scuba diving and whale watching, has been attracting European tourists.
Liloan Bridge forms part of the primary national highway that links Mindanao to Luzon.
Liloan and nearby San Ricardo town have roll-on roll-off ports that serve ferries going to Surigao in Mindanao.
Liloan is derived from the local term “lilo,” meaning whirlpool.
Whirlpools are visible at Panaon Strait, the navigable narrow waterway that separates mainland Leyte and Panaon island.