More funds allotted for Nueva Ecija bridge

MANILA, Philippines — An additional P50 million has been allocated for the construction of the third phase of a 163.07-meter bridge in Talavera, Nueva Ecija, according to the Department of Public Works and Highways.

DPWH-Central Luzon director Roseller Tolentino said the second phase of the Caaninaplahan-Pantoc-Bulac Bridge was completed ahead of schedule, and work on the third phase of the project that crosses the Talavera River would resume soon.

“The bridge will cut travel time between Barangay Caaninaplahan and Barangay Pantoc-Bulac and vice versa. At present, residents need an hour to reach their desinations,” Tolentino said.

Osias Santos, officer-in-charge of the district engineerig office, said that once the project is completed, residents need not sail across the river to save time and fuel.

The first phase of the project received an initial allocation of P47.84 million in 2022 and P94.57 million for the second phase in 2023.

The last two phases of the Caaninaplahan-Pantoc-Bulac bridge project included the completion of the bridge’s structure and construction of a concrete slab deck, sidewalk, concrete railings and unseating prevention devices.