Senator leads initiative to fund ₱355-M construction of new Paliwan Bridge

In the recent visit of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to Antique in the aftermath of Severe Tropical Storm (STS) “Paeng,” one of his orders is to expedite the restoration of mobility to ensure the delivery of essential goods and services to and from the province.

Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)-6 Regional Director Nerie D. Bueno reported that DPWH immediately took corrective measures and provided alternate routes to the traveling public to ensure that connectivity in the province of Antique is not hampered, particularly in going to the economic centers in the island of Panay.

Bueno said that DPWH had previously proposed to build a parallel bridge to the existing Paliwan Bridge before it was damaged by STS “Paeng.”

She continued by saying that “Paliwan Bridge is a 48-year-old structure, and with the effects of climate change, we observed that the water level in the river is rising; therefore, the construction of another bridge with higher elevation than the existing bridge is deemed necessary.”

On the one hand, Antiqueña Senator Loren B. Legarda is facilitating the PhP355-million funding for the construction of the new Paliwan Bridge (Parallel Bridge) at Barangay Cubay North, Busagong, Antique.

Two 25-linear-meter spans of the bridge collapsed during the onslaught of STS “Paeng.”

“Senator Legarda and Congressman AA Legarda have always been in close coordination with the Department of Public Works and Highways Region 6 during the onslaught of STS ‘Paeng’, especially during the assessment of damaged infrastructures in the province of Antique,” Bueno said.

Legarda commended the DPWH Region 6 team for their unyielding commitment and indefatigable efforts during and after the STS Paeng.

“Duro guid nga salamat DPWH for defying the rains and flood waters just to show your dedication in serving the public,” Legarda said. (DPWH-6)