Archival prioritizes delayed Pulangbato, Tisa bridge projects

CEBU, Philippines — Mayor Nestor Archival has zeroed in on two long-delayed infrastructure projects—the Pulangbato Bridge and the flood-control bridge system in Tisa—amid mounting safety concerns and growing frustration among residents who have waited years for their completion.

The Pulangbato Bridge, envisioned as a reinforced deck girder span in Sitio Candarong, was originally targeted for completion by December 2025. Archival had earlier ordered round-the-clock construction last year following a deadly hiking accident near Budlaan that underscored the risks of relying on bamboo crossings.

However, a series of typhoons, heavy rains, and an earthquake disrupted the construction timeline. Contractors have since requested repeated suspensions, pushing the project further behind schedule.

Archival warned that failure to complete the bridge within the next six months could lead to severe water supply issues in upland communities, as delivery trucks continue to struggle to navigate the area.

“This is a very big problem unya nato especially in the next six months kon wa tay bridge. Mag-expect ra ba ta, maghatag tag tubig didto sa ibabaw… unya ang atong mga truck dagko na, maglisod ug navigate sa sapa,” the mayor said.

He emphasized that the Pulangbato Bridge is currently his top infrastructure priority.

Next on the list is the long-stalled Tisa flood-control project, which Archival disclosed has remained unfinished for six years.

The drainage system—designed to collect rainwater in storage tanks and release it gradually—has also been plagued by delays due to weather disturbances and repeated contractor suspensions.

Residents of Sta. Teresita Village and nearby sitios continue to endure waist-deep flooding during heavy rains despite repeated assurances that the project would be completed. Archival acknowledged their frustration, noting that only one of the planned tanks is operational.

“Ang process man gud sa Tisa, grabe man ang tubig muagi diha. Nagbutang sila ug mga tangke… So inig ulan musud ang tubig sa tangke, unya ilang e-stock didto. Inig kapuno, hinay-hinay og pagawas,” he explained.

Archival stressed that while government contracts impose timelines and penalties, contractors often seek work suspensions to avoid fines. These requests are evaluated by city engineers—usually citing natural disasters—before extensions are granted, contributing to recurring delays.

“Every time man gud maghimo kag kontrata sa gobyerno, ngadto sa contractor, naa siyay number of days or months nga humanon. Once nga di na siya mahuman, naa na siyay penalty. Now in order nga dili siya kabayad, muhangyo sila e suspend nato ning trabaho because of these reasons… then e suspend nimo nag usa ka buwan, dili pa sila ka trabaho. Then e suspend nila… musaka na pud ang number of days. Unya naa na say laing rason,” Archival said. (CEBU NEWS)