MANILA, Philippines — As his administration faces a public works corruption controversy, President Marcos yesterday highlighted two infrastructure projects in Cagayan as examples of properly implemented and effective government undertakings.
Marcos led the inauguration of the Union Water Impounding Dam in Claveria, designed to protect rice fields from flooding and provide year-round irrigation to boost crop yields.
He also inspected the nearly completed Camalaniugan Bridge, which will connect the towns of Aparri and Camalaniugan.
During a dialogue with farmers, Marcos said the completion of the Union Water Impounding Dam demonstrated that it is possible to implement an effective and reliable flood mitigation project.
“That means we have proven that we can construct a good flood control (structure) that is effective. As long as the construction is done properly, the design is sound and the implementation is proper, we do not see any problem,” the President said in Filipino.
Marcos noted that the dam was finished in only 14 months.
“It started during my term. It also ended during my term,” he said.
The dam, a joint project of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the National Irrigation Administration (NIA), features a sluice gate system that diverts water to irrigate up to 3,600 hectares of farmland.
Part of a broader flood control, irrigation and rural development strategy, the structure is expected to benefit more than 1,000 farmers across seven barangays.
After meeting with farmers, Marcos visited the Camalaniugan Bridge, which aims to cut travel time, improve mobility and boost economic activity in the region.
Considered the longest cable-stayed bridge in Cagayan Valley, the project was designed to provide an alternate route to the Magapit Suspension Bridge, the only bridge that currently crosses the Cagayan River in northern Cagayan.
Construction began in May 2020, with 99 percent of civil works completed as of Sept. 30.
“We are looking at one of the most beautiful bridges that we have created in the Philippines. And I’m happy to note that it was done as well on time and it was done properly,” Marcos said.
The President commended the agencies and local officials who closely monitored the construction, expressing hope that the bridge would open by Christmas.
“They are really watching over this huge project to avoid problems, so it won’t end up becoming a ghost project that is not finished, problems that we sometimes see in other projects,” he said.
“It is really nice to see the true capability of the government if each centavo is used properly,” he added.
The bridge is expected to reduce travel time between Aparri and Ballesteros towns from one hour to 20 minutes and serve about 6,000 travelers daily.