PGMA inaugurates P207M Aklan bridge today
President Gloria Macapagal-Arrroyo visits Ibajay town in the province of Aklan today to inaugurate a newly finished P207 million bridge project.
She will be joined at the inaugural ceremonies by British Ambassador to the Philippines Peter Beckingham, Public Works and Highways Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane, Aklan Gov. Carlito Marquez, Aklan Lone District Rep. Florencio Miraflores, Ibajay Mayor Ma. Lourdes Miraflores, and Vice Mayor Nelson Sta. Maria.
The new span, which was built at a total cost of more than P207 million, is one of the 242 steel bridges nationwide provided by the United Kingdom under an agreement with the Philippines.
After the unveiling of the bridge's marker, the President will conduct a ceremonial windshield inspection of the structure and formally open the 246 linear meter span to the public.
The new bridge is a vital link to the Caticlan Jetty Port where commercial ships and small boats dock to load and unload assorted food items and merchandise from nearby islands as well as tourists.
A vital link to the Strong Republic Nautical Highway (SRNH), the bridge provides an alternative route for vehicles bound for other southern provinces such as Iloilo, Bacolod, Cebu and Cagayan de Oro.
It also serves as a jump-off point to the world-renowned tourist destination – Boracay Island.
Of the total project cost of P207 million, P138.6 million was put up by the national government for civil works, while the British government provided P68.7 million worth of steel bridge materials.
The new span replaces the old, crumbling Ibajay bridge built way back in the 1930s.
After the opening of the new bridge, President Arroyo will inspect the nearby Ibajay public market which was destroyed by fire only last April.
The three-hour blaze destroyed an estimated P20 million worth of properties, including 100 market stalls and a new two-storey market building funded by government-owned Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP).
Fire investigators blamed the fire on electrical short circuit. (PNA)