A concrete bridge connecting barangays Batinguel and Junob in Dumaguete City, worth P21 million, is now operational.
Motorists can use the full span concrete bridge near Los Palmas, that replaced the old footbridge, even during bad weather or surge of floodwaters off the Banica River.
Mayor Felipe Antonio Remollo said at the inauguration of the bridge March 7 that the new bridge is the third to be funded locally.
The Batinguel-Junob bridge replaced the old spillways so that floodwater could flow unimpeded towards the open sea, minimizing risk to life and properties, particularly of those living along the Banica riverbank, the city said.
It is also expected to address traffic decongestion as the city’s population bloats during daytime.
Kathy Aguilar, city tourism officer and concurrent public information officer, told the Philippine News Agency that two more bridges are under construction.
“Mayor Remollo has assured that all five bridges under his administration will be completed and fully operational when his term ends next year,” Aguilar said.
The first two bridges already completed included one at the back of Foundation University in Colon, and another near the BIR linking barangays Batinguel and Bagacay.
Remollo said another concrete bridge nearing completion will link barangays Candau-ay and Balugo, near the closed dumpsite, to further ensure the safety of the motorists and help minimize traffic congestion in major roads.
The fifth concrete bridge connecting Poblacion 8 and Tabuc-tubig, near the barangay hall and across the Banica River, with proposed budget of P30 million, still awaits approval from the Sangguniang Panlungsod, the city said. ||
