Rehab of 2 Bohol bridges pushed

CEBU, Philippines - The Regional Development Council-7 passed a resolution to have bridges in Bohol covered by the Mega Bridges for Urban and Rural Development Project of the Department of Public Works and Highways.

In its resolution, the RDC said the bridges – Zamora bridge in Talibon town and M. Roxas bridge in Trinidad town - are reportedly no longer structurally safe for traffic and need to be converted into steel modular bridges with PBP standards.

Aside from improving the bridges, RDC said the construction of these bridges will improve the mobility of people, goods and services to the two mountain barangays.

RDC also said that the bridges can also connect two towns to the interior of the neighboring town of Loay, which will accelerate further economic development and creating more job opportunities within the areas of influence.

In Resolutions 18-2009 and 19-2009, the Bohol Provincial Development Council, earlier requested RDC-7 to endorse the coverage of the two bridges to DPWH.

The Bohol Provincial Development Council hopes that with the help of RDC7, the project will be included in the Mega Bridges for Urban and Rural Development Project of the President’s Bridges Program.

In a Memorandum dated May 25, 2009, the Executive Director of the Project Management Office of the DPWH President Bridge Program, said the two bridges fall under the criteria set for the Mega Bridges for Urban and Rural Development Project. — Jose P. Sollano/JMO (THE FREEMAN)