MACABEBE -- “I am now challenging you, if you do not finish constructing the bridge and re-open it on December 15, 2018, you resign.”
This was the challenge issued by Pampanga Provincial Administrator Andres Pangilinan Jr. to Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) First District Engineering Office head Engineer Almer Miranda who facilitates the construction of the Caduang Tete Bridge in this town.
Pangilinan, in a Facebook post, hit Miranda for the delayed completion of the bridge which allegedly is causing much inconvenience to the residents of Macabebe and Masantol towns.
He lamented the slow construction of the bridge which started in May 2018 and was initially supposed to be completed in October this year, but was extended to November 30, and then extended anew to December 15 of this year by the DPWH.
Since the start of construction, the Caduang Tete Bridge, which is vital to the transportation of Masantol and Macabebe towns, was closed to the public and motorists who were redirected to Pampanga Delta Dike route.
“You killed the economy of the two towns in Pampanga and worse, you are burdening the people who are paying for your salaries. We are already full of your excuses, so might as well finish the bridge on the date you promised or resign,” Pangilinan stressed.
Miranda, for his part, assured Pangilinan and the public that the DPWH and the contractor are already working double time to finish the project on time and reopen before Christmas day.
He disclosed that as of Thursday, December 6, the contractor was already able to launch two girders, and will continue to launch the remaining two today until tomorrow, and steel decking will follow immediately.
“We are asking for the understanding of lawyer Jun Pangilinan and the residents of Macabebe and Masantol town for the inconvenience the project has caused. Rest assured that we are working hard to finish the construction as soon as possible,” he said.