HASTEN MONFORT BRIDGE REPAIR: Lawmaker urges DPWH, contractor

By Francis Allan L. Angelo and John Noel Herrera

Iloilo 4^th district Rep. Ferjenel Biron called on the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the contractor of the Monfort Bridge in Dingle, lloilo to hasten the repair of the structure.

The bridge was damaged at the height of Typhoon Agaton last April 2022 along with other major roads.

The damage has caused significant impact on commuters, particularly students, who are heavily dependent on the bridge for their daily transportation.

Biron has acknowledged the concerns raised by the affected barangay captains regarding the inconvenience caused and has extended his support towards their appeal to the National Irrigation Administration (NIA).

The barangay captains have requested the NIA to open the gate during specific timings from 5:30 AM – 8:00 am and 4:30 PM – 6:30 PM, before and after the repair work.

In response to the situation, Congressman Biron has urged both the contractors and the DPWH to take prompt action and address the issue at hand.

Right after Agaton hit, Biron facilitated the allocation of funds for the repair of the bridge. The initial funding from the DPWH was P57.020 million but it was revised to P57.89 million.

With the revision in the budget, the contract duration was also changed from 205 calendar days to 234 days. The contract, which was awarded to A.D. Pendon Construction and Supply, Inc., took effect on Sept 28, 2022 and will expire on May 19, 2023.

But weather concerns and other factors affected the timetable which was stretched to July 18, 2023.

Based on the contractual data from DPWH, the project suffered a –21.62% slippage after A.D. Pendon only accomplished 29.86% against the 51.48% target accomplishment.

Biron has been monitoring the situation of the Monfort Bridge. From the time it was destroyed by the typhoon until the bidding was completed, he has been actively checking, visiting, lobbying, and pushing for the immediate repair of the bridge but no action has been taken.

“It is crucial for the authorities to take prompt action to address the situation of the Monfort Bridge and provide better transportation options for the residents. The repair of the bridge will not only benefit the commuters but also have a positive impact on the local economy. Therefore, it is imperative for the authorities to prioritize the repair of the Monfort Bridge and take necessary actions to resolve the situation promptly,” Biron said.

Even the Sangguniang Bayan of Dingle also passed a resolution last March 8, 2023 urging the DPWH and contractor to hasten the repairs.

One parent told Daily Guardian that the delays in the construction already affected them, especially the safety of their children who need to cross the river just to go to school.

“Dugay dun na nga ginakay-o pero kahinay. Daw ma-isa na ka tuig, wala man gyapon. Kabudlay para sa amon, sa kabataan gid nga naga-eskwela man, basi kung hinali madisgrasya pa,” Junelyn Estimber said.

DPWH Second Engineering District chief of construction Engr. Ramon Chavez said in a radio interview that the reconstruction started last September 28, 2022, and is expected to be completed on April 20, 2023.

But several residents complained that the project’s contractor, A.D. Pendon Construction, was slow in repairing the bridge, citing that there is still a lot of construction work needed to be done.

Dingle Vice Mayor Quindialem Villanueva also noted that even the equipment and machines used by the contractor were defective, one of the reasons why they called the attention of A.D. Pendon Construction.

“Ginpatawag namon kay nakita namon nga kahinay gid sang ila pag-obra. At the same time, makita mo man bisan ikaw ordinaryo nga tawo, bisan sang ila machineries, mga gamit nila daw tyempo pa ni Magellan,” Villanueva said in a radio interview.

He added that instead of April 2023, the completion might be extended to August 2023, as the DPWH sanctioned the contractor for two months.

“According sa project manager sang DPWH, gin-sanction nila for two months ang contractor. Even if gin-sanction nila or suspend, continue gihapon dapat ila construction. Again naman, they said nga indi nila matapos by April and most probably the most kuno is August,” Villanueva said.