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Wednesday, March 15, 2006
Guv orders Tuba bridge closure
By Jane Cadalig
THE much-opposed closure of the Irisan Bridge in Tadiangan, Tuba will push through as scheduled unless Benguet Governor Borromeo Melchor issues another directive to change the order he recently signed, Provincial Engineer Anita Binay-an said Tuesday.
Binay-an, who appeared during the Provincial Board (PB) regular session, told the PB members that the bridge will be closed effective Wednesday as per the executive order signed by the governor. "I will rely on the instructions given me by the governor," he said.
Melchor released the order despite an earlier assurance that affected communities, who objected to the proposed closure, would not be deprived of an access road. This is because an alternate route would reportedly be put up before the bridge would be shut down to give way to the construction of a concrete bridge.
Affected communities earlier objected to the proposed closure and asked the Provincial Government to remedy the problem.
The PB allocated P900,000 for the set up of a detour as proposed by the Provincial Engineering Office (PEO) so that residents of Barangays Tadiangan, San Pascual and Nangalisan would be assured of continuous flow of transportation while the construction of the concrete bridge is being undertaken.
During the discussion, Binay-an said the amount is no longer needed following a closure order and that construction of the alternate route will not be implemented.
PB Member Aloysius Kato however said this would raise more discord between residents who were assured of the non-closure of the bridge and the provincial officials.
Kato also criticized the "inconsistencies" of concerned offices in dealing with the problem and asked the provincial engineer not to implement the order, claiming "it is loaded with infirmity".
Board Member Johnny Uy shared Kato's view, saying it is improper for the governor to issue a closure order when he assured them in their meeting last week that more dialogues would be conducted to address the residents' plight before acting on the matter.
The executive order was signed last February 28.
(March 15, 2006 issue)
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