Friday, August 17, 2007 Bankerohan bridge's plan, design okayed By Ben O. Tesiorna
THE plan and design for the new Bankerohan bridge submitted by the regional office of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to their main office in Manila was finally approved Tuesday.
Hadji Pundidatu Mitmug, DPWH-Southern Mindanao director, said after the approval of the plan and design, next to be determined would be the appropriation for the project.
He said the budget will be determined by their main office and not by the regional office.
"The plan and design will go to the construction bureau because they will be the one to prepare for the program of works. Dyan na natin malalaman (we will know from there) as to how much will be appropriated for the project," he said.
Estimate cost of the bridge alone would reach to as much as P180 million. This does not include the construction of the road approaching the new bridge.
Mitmug said he expects the bidding for the project to be held next month with the actual construction of the new bridge to start by October or November.
He said they expect to complete the construction of the bridge within eight months.
"Maybe May 2008 tapos na yan (it will be completed)," Mitmug said.
Mitmug explained that the perceived "delay" on the construction of the new bridge was due to the decision of their superiors to construct a concrete bridge instead of a steel bridge under the Tulay ng Pangulo program as earlier suggested by former DPWH-Southern Mindanao director and now Assistant Secretary Dimas Soguilon.
"The project was first under the Tulay ng Pangulo, tapos na-cancel yung President’s Bridge Program dahil pinalitan ng concrete pre-stressed onboard piles instead of the steel bridge," Mitmug said.
