DPWH urged to prioritize 4 CV bridges

CEBU, Philippines - The Regional Development Council in Central Visayas is pushing for the inclusion of four bridges as priority projects of the Department of Public Works and Highways under its thousand bridges construction project for rural development.

In a resolution passed at the RDC first quarter meeting in Larena, Siquijor, the council said the bridges will improve mobility and access of goods and services and spur economic development in the areas connected by them.

In 1999, DPWH launched a massive rehabilitation and construction of bridges across the country. In Central Visayas, a total of 67 bridge projects proposals have been identified for implementation, including the Magsaysay bridge in Cebu and the Malaga, Talaptap and La Libertad bridges in Negros Oriental.

Of the four, only the Magsaysay bridge, located in Balamban town, about 36.82 kilometers west of Cebu City, reportedly lacked endorsement from RDC, a requisite for DPWH funding.

The Magsaysay bridge alone, spanning 120 meters long and 6.7 meters wide, is estimated to cost P378.9 million, according to the Infrastructure Development Committee headed by Emmanuel Rabacal.

The committee said, “this bridge is vital since it provides a shorter route by land from Cebu City to the Western Cebu Industrial Park, a special economic zone located in Balamban.”

With the availability of the transcentral highway via the Naga Road, travel to the municipality of Balamban is will now be 45 minutes instead of the original two hours.

In an earlier interview with DPWH, third district engineer James Dellosa said they are working on the rehabilitation of the damages portions of kilometers 38 and 39 that were earlier hit by landslides.

Earlier, Rabacal’s committee identified at least 10 “critical sections” of the transcentral highway that need immediate repair and rehabilitation. These sections reportedly were easily damaged due to “unstable soil and ground condition.” — Garry B. Lao/JMO (THE FREEMAN)