14 New Bridges Completed in Western Visayas P2-B Worth of Infrastructure Projects Completed in Panay Island, Guimaras, and Negros Occidental

FOURTEEN bridge projects in parts of Panay Island and Negros Occidental have already been completed by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), providing a new dimension of development by reinvigorating isolated communities and opening new avenues of economic opportunities.

In the Province of Antique, the construction of nine single span reinforced concrete deck girder bridges along Anini-y-Tobias Fornier-Hamtic Road were completed:

1. 12.90 meter Igdalaguit Bridge costing P15.863 million;
2. 15.90 meter Bayo Bridge costing P24.969 million;
3. 12.80 meter Butuan Bridge costing P22.846 million;
4. 15.90 meter Siraan Bridge costing P28.908 million;
5. 18.90 meter Dapog Bridge costing P21.694 million;
6. 25.70 meter Panabigan Bridge costing P24.285 million;
7. 20.90 meter Iba Bridge costing P29.507 million;
8. 15.80 meter Bongalonan Bridge costing P30.448 million;
9. 18.70 meter Dapdap Bridge costing P 27.748 million.

Other infrastructure projects in the province already accomplished by the DPWH include the 10.80 meter Bongol Bridge along the Valderama-Bugasong Road costing P19.812 million and the 15.80 meter Bia-an Bridge along Hamtic-Bia-an-Egaña-Sibalom Road costing P30.871 million.

Public Works Secretary Rogelio L. Singson said that the completion of these new bridges replacing old temporary structures would ensure the safe and reliable movement of people, goods, and services in Antique. This will also boost the target program of the DPWH to have permanent bridges along all national highways by the end of the Aquino administration.

In Iloilo, the construction of the 150.30 meter Nichols Bridge along the Alimodian-Sinamay-Sta. Cruz-San Miguel Road to replace the old bridge that collapsed at the height of typhoon Frank in June 2008 has also been completed. The P383.152 million project also involved the concrete paving of 114.683 meters of approach road “A” and 104.517 meters of approach road “B.”

In the same province, the completion of the 54.80 meter Culasi Bridge along the Ajuy-Barotac Road at a cost of P59.560 million replacing the old weakened bridge will now be able to accommodate the current traffic demand. The new 12.80 meter Balua Bridge, which was constructed at a cost of P33.710 million, will ensure smoother travel along Manduriao-San Miguel-Alimodian-Maasin-Cabatuan Road, as well.

The completed bridges are part of the Bridges Construction Project for Rural Development funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency and implemented by the DPWH’s President’s Bridge Program Office.

All these infrastructure developments are part of the P2 billion worth of infrastructure projects already completed by the DPWH in Western Visayas.

Regional Director Evelyn T. Barroso said that the completed projects during the first half of year 2011 include repair and rehabilitation of roads, de-clogging of canals and drainage systems, and construction of bridges, multi-purpose buildings, and health centers.

Negros Occidental, which has five district engineering offices, has the biggest share of the budget with P1.22 Billion for the construction of roads and bridges, followed by the Province of Antique with P825.4 million; Iloilo City and Iloilo Province with 551.3 million; Island Province of Guimaras with P48 million; and Capiz Province with P18.7 million.