PGMA to inspect, groundbreak vital Iloilo infra projects
President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo is set to inspect a vital infrastructure project and lead the groundbreaking of a bridge today (August 13) in Iloilo Province.
The first leg of President Arroyo’s visit is at the Anilao Bridge in Pavia, Iloilo where she will be briefed on the status of the Iloilo Flood Control (IFC) Project amounting to P5.587 billion based on its revised cost as of January 2009.
The IFC project consists of the construction of the Jaro Floodway which is about 4.75 kilometers and the Jaro River System improvements with the scale of 50-year return period and Iloilo City Urban Drainage System Improvements with the scale of 5-year return period.
The project is aimed to mitigate flood damage and inundation and to create a more sustainable urban community as well as provide a safer and a more pleasant living condition for people in Iloilo City and its nearby areas.
President Arroyo is then expected to proceed to Alimodian, Iloilo for the groundbreaking of the P166,456,494 Nichols Bridge which will replace the old bridge destroyed by typhoon “Frank” last year.
It can be recalled that in 2004, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo personally led the opening of the old Nichols Bridge which was part of the Tulay ng Pangulo sa Barangay.
The construction of the new bridge which is 150 meter-long began last July 2009 with target completion on February 11, 2011. It is part of the Urgent Bridges Construction Project for Rural Development funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) 6 Director Rolando Asis said the completion of Nichols bridge will connect Alimodian Proper to its far flung and hinterlands barangays and nearby municipalities and expected to boost the flow of goods and services in the said areas.
Currently, local residents make use of the temporary detour bridge that was constructed downstream.
Asis said typhoon “Frank” has destroyed 11 bridges in the province of Iloilo.
Two weeks ago, President Arroyo was also here in Iloilo to personally check the construction of Oton-Mambog Road and Camanggahan Bridge in Guimbal which are geared towards the upliftment of the living conditions of the Ilonggos.
On that visit, President Arroyo also inspected the Amerang and Tigum bridges which were destroyed by typhoon “Frank”. (PIA)