Isabela: DPWH opens bridge, but admits roads still bad

By Raymund Antonio

ILAGAN CITY -- The Department of Public Works and Highways has a lot of work to do in improving the quality of 155 kilometers of national roads in Isabela.

DPWH Secretary Rogelio Singson said here Tuesday 30 percent of the 518 kilometers of national roads in Isabela are in “poor or bad condition.”

“That is why we have a continuing budget in order to improve the condition of all national roads and its widening can be seen,” he said.

Singson was here to inaugurate the newly constructed 500-lineal meter Lullutan Bridge that will connect Isabela and Cagayan Valley region.

The bridge, with a loading capacity of 20 tons, is made of 14-span structural steel girders with reinforced concrete slab. DPWH spent P772 million for the project.

The structure is expected to open up new opportunities for Isabela, particularly its agricultural sector, since it will connect several rice-producing municipalities to Ilagan City.