By Rose B.Palacio
Philippine Information Agency
DAVAO CITY — A $120-million bridge will soon connect Davao City and the Island Garden City of Samal, a project that is expected to boost tourism and trade for the two cities.
Public Works and Highways Acting Secretary Manuel Bonoan, together with USEC Rafael Yabut and DPWH XI Director Dimas Soguilon, were here recently to study the proposal for the bridge.
Secretary Bonoan and his men were recently here in Davao to personally inspect the reconstruction of the Generoso Bridge at Bankerohan. The Secretary also inspected other major projects in region eleven together with DPWH XI ARD for operations Rey Tamayo, ARD for administration Hadji Pundidato Mitmug ang all district engineers in region eleven.
The proposed Babak bridge project is part of the flagship project of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo that highlights the network of domestic gateways to link up the Philippiness key islands, which possess superior trade returns and tourism prospects.
The DPWH received specific marching orders from the President to work on and complete infrastructure facilities and deliver a more efficient and effective physical network of roads, bridges, and infrastructure that will connect communities and speed up socio-economic development across the nation.
Secretary Bonoan told his men to reach out to citizens and communities, particularly establish close coordination with local government units (LGUs) to build public works community network for feedback and resource mobilization.
He also emphasized the need to practice an on-the-ground policy in performing the role in achieving the objectives of the administration and make the department a more result-oriented government agency.
Bonoan said we must try to achieve the highest efficiency in the performance of work adding that the department should be more responsive and responsible.
The Secretary is going around inspecting major projects and addressing problems confronting its implementation. For every region, there are different setting and situation, and a different mindset, he said.
We should put our efforts into doing not only what is programmed for today but also for tomorrow, he added. (PIA XI Dispatch/rbpalacio)
