Gibo visits fallen Bridge of Promise, vows to pursue its reconstruction

By Lito M. Reganit

MANILA, Nov. 17 — Lakas-Kampi-CMD standard bearer Gilbert "Gibo" Teodoro Jr. on Monday visited the fallen Bridge of Promise in Batangas City and vowed to local officials and residents that he will vigorously pursue its reconstruction even if he is no longer part of the cabinet.

Teodoro, who had just resigned as Defense Secretary earlier in the day, motored to Batangas City along with Ececutive Secretary Eduardo Ermita to lead the mass oath- taking of Lakas-Kampi-CMD members in Batangas province before visiting the Bridge of Promise.

The bridge, which joins Barangays Kumintang Ibaba and Gulod Labac, was destroyed at the height of Typhoon Santi last October 31. It fell when it was swamped by flood waters spawned by the rains dumped by the typhoon.

Teodoro told the adoring crowd of Batangueños that he made sure that the Bridge of Promise was a top priority before he resigned as Defense chief and head of the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC).

He recounted that upon learning of the destruction of the bridge, he had ordered the NDCC to immediately list it as a top priority, noting the socio-economic importance that the bridge play.

Before being destroyed by Santi, the decades-old Bridge of Promise had played a key role in the transport of petroleum products to Metro Manila. Other major industries situated in Batangas City also used the bridge to transport their products and raw materials.

Its destruction, Teodoro said, translates to additional transportation costs and time for workers, students, to commerce and industry and its reconstruction is of paramount importance.

In fact, the reconstruction of the bridge is already underway.

Teodoro presented to the local officials the final design made by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) for a strengthened structure that will cost P146 million and the DPWH Region IV-A office had already begun drilling soil samples.

He said that "money to be poured in the reconstruction of the Bridge of Promise is money well spent because it would be recovered in just two days in terms of socio-economic gains if it operates again."

"I will follow through this project until its completion no matter what happens," Teodoro said.

Meanwhile, officials and residents of the city were grateful to the national government and to Teodoro for their prompt action in dealing with the disaster.

Batangas City Mayor Eduardo Dimacuha said that ever since the bridge was destroyed, traffic along the main city road had become very congested.

"The prompt action of the NDCC and the national government to rebuild the bridge is a big boost not only to the affected villages but to all the people of this city," he said.

For her part, Gulod Labac Councilwoman Lina Espino said that the residents of her village would be forever grateful for the government's sincere concern and immediate action to ease their hardships.

It is a sentiment that was shared by Kumintang Ibaba village chief Lorenzo Gamboa.

"We Batangueños never forget those who are good to us and we always show our gratitude in one way or another," Gamboa said. (PNA)

V3/DCT/CMR

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