TACLOBAN CITY-Tacloban City District Engineering Office has initiated the construction of the approaches for the Mangonbangon Bridge II, a significant infrastructure project aimed at enhancing connectivity in the region.
The bridge project, which was launched in March 2022, involves building a sturdy, four-lane bridge with a total width of 12.48m. This project, funded by the General Appropriations Act of 2022 (GAA 2022), has a total contract value of P17,638,577.64.
Despite the completion of the Mangonbangon II Bridge, the construction of its approaches was only approved this year. This indicates that the bridge and the approaches are not a single project, but two distinct projects.
The second project, which includes the construction of a concrete approach and drainage on both sides of the Mangonbangon Bridge, has a total contract value of P 14,647,891.94. This project is funded under the General Appropriations Act of 2024. As of now, the project is in progress and has reached 15% completion.
The Office believes that this circumstance may have led to the recent public and media misunderstanding that the bridge remains incomplete despite the commencement of construction two years ago. The absence of a fully furnished concrete approaches gives the bridge an overall unfinished appearance.
In light of the confusion, OIC-District Engineer Rebecca G. Yuse released a statement to elucidate the situation.
“We wish to clarify to the public that while the Mangonbangon Bridge II is indeed complete, the construction of its approaches has only recently begun. We are dedicated to the expeditious completion of this project for the benefit of the residents of Tacloban,” stated OIC-DE Yuse.
In a bid to expedite the construction of the approaches, Mangonbangon Bridge II has been temporarily closed to traffic from April 29 to May 29, 2024. This measure aims to facilitate uninterrupted construction activities, ensuring the timely completion of the vital infrastructure.
The Tacloban City District Engineering Office remains committed to the timely completion of the approaches, with the goal of fully operationalizing the Mangonbangon Bridge II to better serve the commuting public.
(IAN YVES G.DE PAZ, PUBLIC RELATIONS ASSISTANT, PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICE,TCDEO)
