DPWH Secretary ‘Manny’ BONOAN discussed updates on the agency’s ongoing projects in the Visayas with Eastern Visayas lone district congressman ‘Sheen’ Gonzales. (Photo supplied)
Stressing the economic importance of having a bridge that connects the Visayas region to mainland Luzon, Eastern Samar representative Christopher Sheen Gonzales visited Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Manuel Bonoan to discuss updates on the Matnog-Allen Bridge that will directly link Sorsogon to the former Guiuan municipal mayor’s province.
Braving yesterday’s severe downpour triggered by the southwest monsoon or habagat in the wake of typhoon Crising’s devastation, Gonzales met with Bonoan despite the suspension of work in most government offices due to flash floods in several areas of Metro Manila.
“Kahit bumabagyo, tuluy-tuloy pa rin ang trabaho,” Bonoan pointed out during the congressman’s courtesy call to his office.
Center of discussion was the construction of the Matnog-Allen Bridge which will connect the two municipalities and pave the way for easier travel between Bicol and Eastern Visayas and also give accessibility for the flow of products, particularly agricultural produce from both provinces. “Kasama sa aming tinalakay ang pagtitiyak na mabibigyan ng kaukulang pondo ang ilan sa mga malalaking proyektong ating isinusulong, tulad ng Matnog–Allen Bridge at mga road connectivity projects sa Eastern Samar, kasama na rito ang pagtatapos sa huling phase ng ginagawang Maydolong-Basey Road, Dolores-Jipapad Road at Jipapad-Las Navas Road projects sa aming probinsya ng Eastern Samar,” Gonzales cited.
For his part, Bonoan disclosed that they are prioritizing all infrastructure development projects because the expressed directive of President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. is to speed up their completion in order to support the government’s effort to sustain its goals for the country’s economic growth.
“Nais ng pangulo na bilisan ang trabaho para mapakinabangan agad ng taongbayan ang mga imprastraktura na aming ipinapatayo, partikular na ang mga tulay na mag-uugnay sa mga pangunahin at pinakamalakaking rehiyon at isla sa ating kapuluan—ang Luzon, Visayas at Mindanao,” the secretary noted.
Aside from the said DPWH priority projects, also tackled was the ongoing rehabilitation of the San Juanico Bridge that connects Samar and Leyte provinces.
“Nakipagpulong kami kay DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan upang makuha ang pinakabagong update hinggil sa kasalukuyang rehabilitasyon ng San Juanico Bridge. Mahalaga para sa atin na matiyak ang maayos na daloy ng rehabilitasyon at ang agarang pagsasaayos ng tulay, lalo na’t ito ay pangunahing koneksyon sa pagitan ng Samar at Leyte na may mahalagang papel sa pang-araw-araw na buhay ng ating mga kababayan, gayundin sa daloy ng produkto at serbisyo sa rehiyon,” the lone district cingressman pointed out.
