Arroyo inaugurates Cansaga Bay bridge

CEBU, Philippines - President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo yesterday inaugurated the P2.3 billion Cansaga Bay Bridge, which is one of the major development projects of the Department of Public Works and Highways in the Metro Cebu area.

The President is very proud and thankful that the project was completed with funding from the national government without incurring any foreign loans.

Arroyo said the bridge, which is a key component of the North Coastal Road, is one of her flagship projects.

“This bay bridge is not just a bridge over a river, it’s a bridge over a bay just like all other bridges over a bay in the world. This is one of my legacies here in Cebu,” President Arroyo said.

DPWH Secretary Victor Domingo said that this project is a symbol of eternal love and commitment of President Arroyo for Cebu.

Sixth District Rep. Nerissa Soon-Ruiz, who delivered a message during the event, could not help but put a very political undertone to her speech as she urged the public to support those who are supportive of the President.

“Daku kaayo ta og utang kabubut-on sa atong Presidente. Angayan lamang nga atoang suportahan kung unsa ang gusto sa Presidente. We will do everything, to continue what the President have started,” Soon-Ruiz said.

The congresswoman is running for mayor of Mandaue City this May.

She is the official bet of the administration and is going up against Mayor Jonas Cortes, who is seeking reelection under the Liberal Party.

Cebu 4th District Rep. Benhur Salimbangon said that the newly-inaugurated project is a great advantage especially for the northern towns, where his district is located.

Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia likewise hails the project including the people who worked on it to fast track the completion of the project.

Other politicians and would be politicians spotted during the event were former Provincial Board Member Luigi Quisumbing, who is running for congressman in the sixth district, former DILG undersecretary Lito Ruiz (running for congressman in Lapu-Lapu City), Mandaue City Vice Mayor Carlo Pontico Fortuna (running for a second term), former Mandaue City Councilor Glenn Bercede (running for vice mayor), incumbent Mandaue City Councilors who are Cortes’ allies — Bethoven Andaya, Jimmy Lumapas and Diosdado Suico, Liloan Mayor Duke Frasco and Consolacion Mayor Avelino Gungob.

 The Cansaga Bay Bridge is an integral part of the overall road network system of which runs parallel to the existing main North-South line of the Cebu North Coastal Road Project.

It is the last remaining link to complete the arterial bypass from the Southern District of Talisay City to the Central District (Cebu City and Mandaue City) up to the Northern District of Consolacion, Liloan, Compostela and Danao City on the North.

The said project forms part of the Metro Cebu overall transport network and seeks to contribute to the economic development of Metro Cebu amd Cebu Province.

The project aims to develop a new road alignment that will provide access to centers of agricultural, industrial, fishing, commercial and tourism activities in the area and to reduce poverty and promote socio-economic growth in Central Visayas.

It also serves as an alternate route to bypass the congested two-lane Cebu North Road (Mandaue-Consolacion-Liloan Corridor).

The Cansaga Bay Bridge has a total length of 1,250.651 meters broken down as follows: New Cansaga Bay Bridge is 640.300 meters, First Road approach is 428.750 meters and the second road approach is 181.601 meters.

President Arroyo likewise praised the project contractor, Ciriaco Corporation, for finishing the said project ahead by seven months.

The project is supposed to be finished on August 1, 2010. Its construction started last December 10, 2008 with a budget of P2,366,957,938.48. — Mitchelle L. Palaubsanon/NLQ (THE FREEMAN)