PGMA inspects Canduman Bridge in Mandaue City, Cebu even at sundown

Cebu City (10 August) — Serious in her intent to see the completion of priority infrastructure projects with 11 months left in office, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo still garbed in her fuchsia pink gown and high-heeled shoes after playing ‘ninang’ to a wedding in Cebu wasted no time in inspecting the ongoing construction of the Canduman Bridge in Mandaue City even at sundown.

Last Saturday over 6:00 p.m., Pres. Arroyo proceeded to Canduman Riverside immediately after the wedding at the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral to check the status of the still to be constructed Canduman Bridge where she pledged P48M funding assistance last year from the National Government to be taken from the Department of Public Works and Highway (DPWH) coffer.

The 40-meter bridge will connect both roads from barangays Canduman and Maguikay at the other end and will serve as an alternate route going to the North as persistent traffic woes continue to beset the narrow two-lane main road along H. Abellana Street in Barangay Canduman, Mandaue City.

In spite of the slightly rocky terrain and dim light leading to the riverside, Pres. Arroyo waked midway to see the developments of the construction and was briefed on its status by Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes.

August of last year, Pres. Arroyo visited the site for the first time after Mayor Cortes sought assistance for the bridge construction after being plagued by heavy traffic and flooding along the main road where an alternate route could help address the dilemma.

Only the bridge construction will be funded by the National Government while the budget for the road right of way, road expansion and the drainage system would have to be shouldered by the local government unit concerned, this was learned.

The Canduman Bridge is expected to be completed sometime in September or October, this year with the non-stop construction ongoing for 24 hours, seven days a week.

Pres. Arroyo reportedly skipped the reception party of the wedding couple, Atty. Cristina Garcia Codilla (daughter of Cebu Gov. Gwen Garcia) and Liloan Mayor Duke Franco Frasco and opted to work and oversee the developments of her priority projects such as the Canduman Bridge.

Apart from Pres. Arroyo, some of the political personalities who served as principal sponsors to the wedding event include former Pres. Joseph “Erap” Estrada, Vice Pres. Noli de Castro, and Sen. Loren Legarda. (PIA-Cebu/FCR)