On Tuesday, amidst the
loud cheers of some 2000 Samarnons, she unveiled the bridge marker.
PGMA in her
pronouncements is keen on developing the countryside. With the
inauguration of the Sto. Niño Bridge in Gandara, Samar, residents in
the interior most towns in Samar will now have a better chance to
uplift their living conditions.
Mayor Carlos de la
Cruz vividly remembers that in May 10, 2003 PGMA visited their remote
town and that was when the President made her promise. He was still
the Vice Mayor then.
As the incumbent
Mayor, dela Cruz profusely thanked the visitor in his speech and said
that finally his town would be able to keep up with other economically
stable areas in Samar.
The Sto Niño Bridge
although located in Gandara town seems to benefit more Matuguinao
residents as its completion will connect them to other Samar
municipalities.
Although the bridge is
more than what they could from the President, Mayor dela Cruz added
that fuller access to his town would mean rehabilitation of the
deteriorating road to the heart of Samar.
Some 19-20 kilometers
separate Matuguinao from Gandara, the bridge was one of the most
difficult part of the Gandara-Matuguinao Road project costing as much
as P54 M.
Construction done by
B. Vicencio Construction lasted for two years, said Vicky Miranda, a
senior staff of the construction company.
In an earlier
interview with DPWH Assistant Regional Director Laureano B. Suan, Jr.,
he said that the national government will be in major infrastructure
construction spree until the President’s term end in 2010.
The Sto. Niño Bridge
serves mostly farmers, students and local entrepreneurs. The
construction of the bridge will not only provide better access to the
people of Matuguinao and those residing in Barangays along the
Gandara-Matuguinao Road, but will also improve the peace and order
situation in the area, known to be the lairs of communists in the
Samar area.
Mayor dela Cruz said
that they would now be able to transport their farm produce using land
transportation where cost is much cheaper than the usual mode which is
a motorboat ride for four hours.
PGMA was accompanied
by Samar Governor Milagrosa Tan, Second District Representative Sharee
Ann Tan, DPWH Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane and Presidential Assistant
for the Visayas Vic Domingo.
Barangay Chairman
Rudito Go said that he was able to pass on to the President’s aide
some priority projects needing assistance.
In the brief
visit, residents were disappointed that PGMA did not say anything,
although she obliged for photo ops and smiled and waved to the
cheering crowd. (with report from Raymond/lmr)
