FOR its failure to finish the Mananga Bridge’s northbound lane rehabilitation before August ends, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) 7 has let down Talisay City, Cebu Mayor Gerald Anthony “Samsam” Gullas once again.

Gullas has sought the help of his predecessor and grandfather, Rep. Eduardo Gullas (Cebu, first district), to solve the problem by reporting it to DPWH Secretary Mark Villar.

On Friday morning, Aug. 30, 2019, the DPWH 7 officials and Gullas met at the latter’s office. They told Gullas that the agency’s work is almost complete, but they did not give a specific timetable.

“I have been disappointed since Aug. 4,” he told reporters after the meeting.

Gullas was told that a team from the DPWH’s central office in Manila is expected to inspect the bridge on Tuesday, Sept. 3. Some cracks were found at the northbound lane, the mayor was told.

“They fixed the bridge in the first place because of the cracks, and (there are) cracks again. I really don’t know what is happening,” he said.

The DPWH 7 and its private contractor have been doing rehabilitation works for the second Mananga Bridge’s northbound lane in Barangay Tabunok since November last year. The expected completion date was last March, but the work was not completed.

Last July, the DPWH 7 officials promised the public that the lane would be finally open to traffic on Aug. 4. Three days before the opening schedule, Gullas visited the bridge; he was disappointed that the DPWH 7 and private contractor could not commit to their promise. The lane was not opened last Aug. 4.

The DPWH 7 asked for another two weeks to complete the repairs, but it failed again. The Mananga Bridge’s southbound lane has been converted for use for two-way traffic. (from FMD of Superbalita Cebu/KAL)