While the original San Juanico bridge is still a heated issue, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has released an update on the design of the second San Juanico Bridge would look like. Why?
According to DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan, the design of the said bridge is expected to be completed by 2026, next year. Ironically, at a time when government agencies are still scrambling to come up with solutions to address the current logistics issue caused by the deterioration of the original bridge.
According to the DPWH the construction of the second bridge had already been pipelined since 2021 in partnership with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
“It’s now under detailed engineering design. We hope that the detailed engineering design will be completed by 2026 and thereafter, the construction will follow immediately,” Bonoan said.
The official further noted that the second bridge will span around 2.6 kilometers, longer than the first which only spans at 2.1 kilometers.
Priorities
While it might have been planned for years now, many are questioning why the second one should be among the priorities when they can’t even provide urgent solution to the problems that ripple from the urgent limitations implemented on the use of the existing bridge.
“Toinks gastos na naman. Mga karsada ngani na simple la diri nira maayad lugod,” netizen Miles Vergara rants on a social media post.
The original bridge was initially set to be rehabilitated after the construction of the second bridge, the rapid deterioration of the approach structures of the original have prompted authorities to prioritize the latter.
However, this only further revealed more flaws on how our government agencies prioritize their expenses. Or maybe the country has a lot of money at the disposal of its officials.
Is it necessary?
Many are pointing out the necessity of the second bridge.
“It usa ngani diri hira naka maintain, tas adi ma ayad na liwat kunuhay hin bag-o. Ambot ha iyo,” a netizen posted.
Addressing this, the DPWH assured that once the new span is operational, the existing bridge will be fully closed for rehabilitation.
However, locals knew that this will take time.
Local economy is expected to suffer unless the national government gets its act together.
A source for corruption
While Leytenos and Samarnons are open to the new infrastructure, the timing also raises a few concerns.
Why is the government insisting on the two projects urgently, just after the election period?
Citizens are concerned that these major projects serve as cover of official corruption.
It is no secret that there already have been records of “misplaced” funds for major projects in Eastern Visayas. One example is the MAC Builders issue wherein millions were lost and very little progress was seen in the supposed International Airport in San Jose, Tacloban City.
It is not that the Waraynons are against progress, in fact that is long overdue. What the people do not want is to use “public service” as a tool to line someone else’s pocket using the taxes they paid.
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