PGMA inaugurates P143 M Las Navas bridge in Northern Samar

By NENE A. MANZANARES (PIA Northern Samar)
June 17, 2009

LAS NAVAS, Northern Samar  –  Wearing a powder blue pant suit, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo beamed and waved to the crowd before unveiling the project marker of the Las Navas bridge at 11:25 Tuesday morning.

Immediately after arriving from Manila early Tuesday morning, the President went on board on the presidential chopper which was waiting for her at the Catarman Airport.  Before the site of engagement, the President changed her mode of transport and went on board a shuttle bus.

She was accompanied by Northern Samar Governor Raul A. Daza, his son Congressman Paul Daza of the First District, Congressman Emil Ong of the Second District, DPWH Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane, DepEd Secretary Jesli Lapuz, DOTC Secretary Leandro Mendoza, Press Secretary Cerge Remonde, DENR Secretary Angelo Reyes, GSIS General Manager and other officials of Eastern Visayas. While in route to the area of engagement, the President was “escorted” by the five choppers which hovered the Northern Samar skies until the shuttle finally arrived at the site.

After the brief inaugural rites, the President went back to the shuttle bus and proceeded with the traditional drive through the 121.35 lineal meter long, 7.32 meter wide bridge span along with the department secretaries and a group of guests who accompanied her on the presidential transport.  She then alighted from the mini bus, went down from the bridge and immediately proceeded to a beautifully decorated gazebo or an open-type “bahay kubo” where the Regional Media Interview (RMI) was conducted with newscaster Tito Tepace of Aksyon Radyo Balita, Radio Station DYSM in Catarman, Northern Samar.  The gazebo was set-up near the river bank.

Meanwhile, Vice-Governor Antonio Lucero said that the construction of the Las Navas bridge would be of great help to the people of Las Navas and the whole of Catubig Valley.  With the bridge connecting Las Navas to Catubig, progress in this area would be definitely be within reach, the Vice-Governor said.

The Vice-Governor then recalled that during his younger days, he used to take water transport in going to Las Navas or Catubig.  This kind of transport becomes more difficult during stormy days where one has to contend not only with the weather but the strong current of the river.

The construction of the Las Navas bridge has now provided an alternative not only to the commuting public but to some businessmen as well who have to transport goods using the river bank.