CERVANTES, Ilocos Sur -- Residents of this upland town can now heave a sigh of relief with the latest development that local officials headed by Gov. ChavitSingson will complete the on and off construction of the Aluling bridge that will connect this town to Mountain Province.
Based on the record, the strategic Aluling Bridge’s construction was started the administration of then President Ferdinand Marcos but until today, only two concrete posts were erected, a sign of government neglect during those years.
A total of P114 million had reportedly been spent on the foot bridge.
During the ground breaking last week, residents in Barangay Aluling expressed gratitude to Gov. Singson for his initiative in constructing the said bridge.
The locals especially the elder ones said they had experienced previous ground-breakings but the project was never implemented.
“Several contractors have started construction but they did not succeed. We are hoping that with the new contractor, the residents will soon experience the convenience and benefits of having a bridge here,” Mayor Benjamin Maggay said.
Singson told residents here he will ensure the project would be finished.
Her added although the bridge was a project of the national government, “I will try my very best to make sure that the ground breaking will be the last one and that the project will finally be completed.”
Engr Roy Acosta, assistant regional director of the Department of Public Works and Highways cited several reasons for the delay of completion of the Aluling Bridge which was started in 1978.
According to Acosta, the bad and narrow access road was one of the causes of the delay since heavy equipment could not reach the place.
He said contractors needed helicopters to transport the materials to the place of construction and eventually, these made contractors back out due to costly transportation of materials.
He added from 1978 up to now, the government had spent about P114 million for the project but did not say how the money was spent, raising eyebrows among residents and newsmen.
Acosta vowed to finish the bridge within 365 days under the new contractor, BMK Construction. “We hope to finish the concrete posts before summer ends because it is hard to work when rainy season comes.”
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