PGMA thanks Ilonggos, turns over P160-M repaired bridge

PIA Press Release 2010/06/29

PGMA thanks Ilonggos, turns over P160-M repaired bridge

Cabatuan, Iloilo (29 June) -- President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo personally thanked the people of Iloilo for giving her the "opportunity to serve" them and the rest of the nation during her term as the country's 14th president.

In brief remarks after the ceremonial drive-thru of the newly constructed Tigum bridge which she inaugurated yesterday (June 28), the Chief Executive said it was an honor to have served the people of Iloilo and that the P160-million bridge is part or her legacy to the province.

The Tigum bridge was destroyed when flood waters brought about by torrential rains spawned by typhoon Frank in 2008 nearly cut the vital link of nearby towns to the city in half.

President Arroyo forthwith instructed the Department of Public Works and Highways to rebuild the bridge and allotted P160-million for its reconstruction.

"On my last visit to your province as your President, I am very grateful and let me take the opportunity to thank the people of Iloilo for your support and for giving me the honor of being able to serve you during and after typhoon Frank and even long before that," the President said in Ilonggo.

"Damo gid salamat (thank you very much)," she said in the Ilongo dialect.

During the occassion, the President interviewed two beneficiaries of the new Tigum bridge: Vitaliano Arcos, a 70-year old watchman of the firm that built the bridge and Norberto Caballero, a 59-year old tricycle driver.

Arcos said that if it weren't for the employment opportunity offered by the construction of the Tigum bridge, he would not have been able to provide for his family of 16 children.

Caballero, on the hand, said that with the opening of the bridge, the ferrying of passengers to and from their destinations will now be easier. He also said that he expects to double his income since most of it will not have to go to the repair and upkeep of his tricycle that regularly bogs down from passing through the poorly built and temporarily used bailey bridge that was constructed in lieu of the destroyed Tigum bridge.

Caballero and Arcos were profuse in thanking the Chief Executive for the construction of the bridge saying they could expecting it to have an impact on their daily chores. (PIA)

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