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By Stephen Louie Checa
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Saturday, June 10, 2017
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SIBALOM, Antique – After 14 years, the Solong Bridge in Barangay Solong here is nearing its completion.
The bridge, which spans 362.20 lineal meters long, is now passable to light vehicles. It was inaugurated by Gov. Rhodora Cadiao and other local officials on Thursday morning.
The P91-million Solong Bridge is the premier link of Sibalom town proper to its approximately 15 barangays and nearby villages of Patnongon, Belison and San Remigio.
According to then governor of Antique Sally Zaldivar-Perez who pushed for the construction of the bridge during her term, the infrastructure will be a great help to the town and its nearby villages and municipalities.
Perez furthermore cited that farmers and vendors can have bigger income since they can now sell their produce in Sibalom town proper.
The former governor also recalled that one of the things that made her come up with the idea of building the bridge was when a boat carrying students from Barangay Solong capsized.
“I am so overjoyed today. Imagine the 14 years of waiting in making this dream project be realized. It takes someone who has big dreams to get this done,” Perez said in her speech during the inauguration ceremony.
“I am so happy that I never gave up even [if] I am not anymore the governor (of Antique). And I thank our government leaders who also never gave up and supported the realization of this project from the start,” she added, referring to former presidents Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and Benigno Simeon Aquino III. She also cited the support of the current administration, Department of Public Works and Highways secretary Rogelio Singson and Sen. Loren Legarda.
“This bridge is one of my legacies for Antique. Because it is finally done, I can now sleep soundly and die peacefully,” Perez quipped.
Meanwhile, Department of Education assistant secretary Tonisito Umali said the bridge is a “great symbol of progress, harmony and unity.”
Because of the bridge, the lives of people, particularly sudents, who reside on the other side of Sibalom river, will become better, he said.
“With the Solong Bridge constructed, let us now altogether face the brighter and better days,” Umali added.
Meanwhile, Mary Anne Vedeja, a resident of Barangay Solong, expressed her gratitude to the government and local and national leaders.
She shared that before the construction of the bridge, they rent a boat to go to the other side of the river.
Aside from the completion of the Solong Bridge, the government, through the DPWH, has allocated a total of P3,049,130,000 for Antique’s infrastructure projects./PN
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