Public woes over unfinished bridge project, resolved

ORANI, Bataan – Residents and local officials in this first-class municipality on Monday conducted a public hearing in relation to an unfinished bridge being constructed by the Department of Public Works and Highways near the municipal plaza comprising three barangays (villages).

The forum sponsored by the local government of Orani was attended by different sectors like the village chiefs, transport sector, the academe, businessmen, commuters, representatives from the DPWH First Engineering District and the office of the provincial governor.

“Minarapat naming gawin ang public hearing na ito para matapos na ang mga hinaing at spekulasyon ng ating mga kababayan na kami ang may sala sa pagkakabalam ng proyektong ito,” Mayor Benjie Serrano told reporters.

Engr. Del Baluyot, project manager of DPWH-Bataan 1st Engineering District, said the project started last March 2014 and was scheduled to be finished on November 2014.

However, due to the technical problems encountered by its contractor, the construction was halted due to the revisions of new designs and piles and was approved by the DPWH Regional Office in San Fenando City, Pampanga.

Last year, the contractor of the P23 million bridge asked for a redesign of the infrastructure after the piles to be used as foundation reportedly hit an old hard lumber underground affecting the whole structure. Last week an additional budget of P9 million was allotted by the national government.

“The approval of designs, bidding process and other technical documentations took months. We want to ensure public safety here and we hope the public will understand our situation,” Engr. Baluyot added.

The transportation sector along with the commuters is reportedly the most affected. The detour route going to Balanga City is more than three kilometers resulting to additional fare which is still presently enforced. The public market vendors here also reportedly suffered decrease in their daily sales.

After the public hearing, the DPWH promised the public that by April 1 of this year, the bridge will be passable to light vehicles.

Meanwhile, Engr. Ric Yuzon chief of the provincial engineer’s office during the forum assured the public that Bataan Governor Abet Garcia tasked him to work hand in hand with the DPWH to speed up the construction process and to address other complaints from the public.