ILOILO City – President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has ordered the Department of Public Works and Highways (DWPH) Region 6 to expedite the rehabilitation of the Paliwan bridge that connects the towns of Bugasong and Laua-an in Antique province.
The Paliwan bridge collapsed during the onslaught of Tropical Storm “Paeng” on Oct. 29, 2022.
“Nabanggit ko na po dito sa inyo noong 2022, ngunit uulitin ko na kailangang gawing prayoridad at madaliin ang rehabilitasyon ng Paliwan bridge. Inaatasan ko ang Public Works ng Region 6 na pagtuunan para agarang magka-aksyon,” said Marcos, who was in Antique to distribute rice to 1,000 beneficiaries and other government assistance on Friday afternoon.
The President emphasized that the infrastructure should not only be constructed swiftly but also within quality standards.
“Madaliin ngunit dapat tiyakin din yong matibay at hindi substandard ang pagkagagwa,” he said. “Ang epektibo at mabisang pangangasiwa sa daloy ng produkto at serbisyo mula sa sakahan patungo sa merkado ay isa sa mga dapat natin matugunan.”
During the opening program, Antique Congressman Antonio Agapito Legarda disclosed that, aside from the Paliwan bridge rehabilitation, the construction of a temporary bailey bridge will begin in the following days.
“I’m very happy to note that at this moment, in a few days, there is a temporary bailey bridge na tatayo, at ang ating nasirang tulay po ay now on-going ang reconstruction,” said Legarada.
Among the on-going construction activities at the Paliwan bridge were:
* fabrication of steel reinforcement for concrete pile cast in drilled holes
* fabrication of steel reinforcement for the girder
* fabrication of 20 mm diameter ties
* welding of additional casing
* crane way embankment
Meanwhile, Marcos thanked Gov. Rhodora Cadiao for making efforts to transfer more than 700 families to a housing project in Barangay Lugta, Laua-an.
According to the President, Cadiao showed him the pending National Housing Authority (NHA) housing project during his visit to the province in November 2022.
“To know that we have 770 families who will spend this Christmas in their new home is one of the best news I have heard in a long time,” said Marcos.
During her welcome message, Cadiao thanked the President for lobbying for the housing project that has been pending for almost 10 years.
“The provincial government, the NHA, the local government of Laua-an, the contractors, and the DPWH all worked together to make the necessary repairs,” said the governor./PN
