Groundbreaking Ceremonies Held In Two Towns By Quirico M. Gorpido,Jr.

Silago, Southern Leyte-Groundbreaking ceremonies of three bridges in barangays Hingatungan,Salvacion and Bagacay here and two bridges in barangays Bil-atan and Pinut-an in San Ricardo town in Panaon Island were held in two separate occasions during the recent weekend.

Sitio Lawaan has already its existing but small bridge and it would be replaced with a bigger one.The same with that of Hibatian which would also be replaced with much bigger bridge.In San Ricardo,Bil-atan has also its own but small bridge and it would likewise be replaced with bigger ones. During each bridge groundbreaking ceremony,DPWH officials led by District Engr. Carlos Veloso,barangay officials led by their respective Barangay Captains, Congressman Roger Mercado, Governor Damian Mercado,Silago Mayor Manuel Labrador,Sr.,and San Ricardo Mayor William Yu have shared the shoveling of diggings in burying each capsule which contained the plan, specifications and program of works of each bridge. Prior to that, local and municipal officials led by the Congressman and the Governor including those who participated in the burying of the capsules were having their routine group picture takings.
In Silago the blessing of each bridge were preceded by prayers led by the officiating Parish priest Rev. Hope Lambunao, while in San Ricardo it has a different scene. The construction of the 5 bridges would also include constructions of its approaches-that is concreting of several meters of roads leading to the new bridges. Congressman Mercado after each groundbreaking ceremony of the bridge project and always emphasizing President Benigno Simeon Aquinos support of the projects, has strongly urged the folks in each place to support their team unity(NUP). He also appealed to the inhabitants of the two municipalities to likewise give their full support to the 12 administrations senatorial candidates this coming May 2013 national elections. Governor Mercado likewise voiced out the same sentiments in favor of the Aquino Administration. He also repeatedly admonished the constituents in two towns to take good care of their respective bridges once it is completed so that it would last for decades. Earlier it was learned that resolutions and programs of works of the proposed bridges were sent to President Aquino by DPWH officials thru the initiative of Congressman Mercado for its approval. However, the funds of the aforesaid projects were soft loan from the Spanish Government, according to Assistant District Engr.Manolo Rojas. Soft loan, Rojas said, simply means low interest compared to other infra loans.The constructions of the 5 bridges are expected to be finished either in January or February 2014 by the 2 contractors J.D. Legaspi Construction and A.C. Rivero Development Corporation.

Detailed cost of the 5 bridges were the following: 1)Lawaan bridge-P32,057,496.13M; 2)Bagacay bridgeP20,525,896.30M; 3)Hibatian bridge-P16,876,758.73M; 4)Bil-atan bridge-P29,579,420.45M; 5)Pinut-an bridge-P35,661,317.27M.

Also present during the affair, among others, were Engr. Luciano Gumba(in behalf of DPWH regional director Rolando Asis)-Chief of Regional Construction Division,SP members led by Vice- Governor Miguel Maamo,11,Pinut-an Barangay Captain Florencio Anahaw,Brgy. Captain Rodrigo Lumakas of Hingantungan,Mayor Restico Estrella of Pintuyan and the press.(Quirico M. Gorpido,Jr.) P.S.Very important announcement. All SSS pensioners in the country are now required to report annually to the SSS offices in their respective communities during the months of their birthdates for physical confirmation that they are still alive and kicking. Failure to comply with this new SSS policy is tantamount to the cessation of their monthly pensions a few months later. Forget it not!