SOME residents of Candaba in Pampanga have appealed to Mayor-elect Rene Maglanque to push for the widening of the new Candaba bridge to decongest traffic, minimize public inconvenience, and lessen accident and crime reports.
In a radio interview with Maglanque on May 21 at Pampanga KaluguranDaka, a radio program of the Provincial Government of Pampanga at RW 95.1 FM hosted by Joel Mapiles, the mayor-elect said there is a clamor for bridge widening from Candabeños living around the area of Old Candaba Bridge, also known as Candaba Suspension Bridge, which has become accident- and crime-prone area through the years.
While the bridge -- patterned after the famous San Francisco Bridge in the United States of the America (USA) -- has historical value to the town, there is a need for its widening, said Jonalyn Aga, a concerned citizen.
A citizen also suggested a "bicycle lane," since the existing bridge is stiff.
During his stint as mayor in 2013, Maglanque said he already asked for help from the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) for its preservation and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) for the funding of the project.
Now that he has been re-elected, he will suggest the creation of a gallery where concrete parts from the bridge can be exhibited.
With this, Candabeños and the future generation can still look back and reminisce on its history, he said.
Meanwhile, residents who will be affected by the widening are set to be relocated to a two-hectare lot allotted for housing.
Maglanque also cited the importance of consultation, saying he will conduct a public hearing on the significance of the bridge's widening.
He will also discuss the project immediately with DPWH, Governor-elect Dennis Pineda and re-elected Fourth District Representative Juan Pablo Bondoc once he officially assumes his post, he added.