• THERESA MAE DULMAN
Bacolod Mayor Greg Gasataya challenged engineers Sept. 14 to personally inspect and evaluate the structural integrity of the newly-rehabilitated footbridge connecting barangays 35 and Singcang-Airport.
The mayor issued the challenge following online criticism alleging that the P3.7-million infrastructure project was overpriced.
“To our fellow citizens who act like engineers, I challenge you to come here, look at it, evaluate, and assess it,” Gasataya stressed, adding the city relies on the expertise and authority of the City Engineer’s Office (CEO), which confirmed that the bridge could last up to 20 years, per technical assessments.
“It’s undeniable that the residents really need this (project),” he added.
Project engineer Julio Belleza of the CEO also said the budget went through a strict public bidding and procurement process.
He said the 50 meters long and 1.5 meters wide bridge was constructed using epoxy resin grouting for retrofitting, concrete recasting, and steel reinforcement, among others, and replaced the makeshift bamboo structure.
Construction began in March 2026 after residents raised safety concerns about the old bridge, and was completed Aug. 30.
“Wala ni overpriced. Yawan kami ni gani paigo-igo,” Belleza stressed.
Gasataya inspected the footbridge Sept. 14, together with Councilor Caesar Distrito, CEO head Engr. Loben Ceballos, and Singcang-Airport punong barangay Rosinie Distrito, among others.
Meanwhile, Joel Abkilan, a resident of Barangay Singcang-Airport, expressed satisfaction with the new bridge, noting its safety compared to the former walkway. | TMD
