Manila, Philippines - The recently concluded Bugo Bridge inauguration in San Remigio, Antique, proved to be a timely blessing for many residents of the calamity-prone region.
Constructed by Waagner-Biro Philippines Inc. (WBPI), the local subsidiary of Austria-based corporation Waagner-Biro Stahlbau AG, in partnership with the Austrian government and DPWH, the unveiling of the 430-linear meter bridge attracted curious San Remigio denizens in droves, as well as passers-by from neighboring towns.
San Remigio mayor Glenn Cabigunda expressed his gratitude for the completion of the project. “On behalf of the San Remigionhons, I would like to thank Antique Governor Javier, his son Congressman Paolo Javier and the Austrian Embassy for their part in the realization of the new Bugo Bridge,” he said. “The bridge can boost the economy of the town. People in the mountain barangays will no longer worry traversing high waters along Sibalom River during rainy season just to get to the town to transport their harvests”.
Governor Javier added, “I am happy that WBPI was able to finish this project ahead of schedule. They finished it on just one year and six months – one month ahead of schedule. This new bridge will not just provide the farmers easy access to the market but will also open up other opportunities with the presence of a number of waterfalls in the area that we could develop into tourism destinations.”
Local townspeople also reveled in the opening of the new bridge. One ecstatic family from San Remigio who witnessed the inauguration couldn’t contain their excitement after the official ribbon-cutting ceremony. We are thankful for this new bridge because our livelihood depends on it,” said the family’s matriarch. We now have more time to spend with our family.” Construction of the bridge started on Oct. 1, 2009, and was completed last March 31, 2011 – one month ahead of schedule. The Bugo Bridge is one of 18 bridges that qualified for full turnkey construction by the Supply and Services Contract of Austrian Bridges Consortium WB + MCE, under the DPWH Construction Acceleration Project for Calamity Stricken Areas. WBPI is responsible for the overall management and implementation of the project.
The DPWH Construction Acceleration Project for Calamity Stricken Areas project started on July 7, 2008 and is scheduled to be completed on July 6, 2011. It aims to immediately replace disaster stricken bridges with structurally sound permanent steel bridges in order to sustain basic social industrial and agricultural activities, and to provide safe and faster movement of goods.
To learn more about how WBPI is helping the country, log on to www.waagner-biro.at.