Impediment to the city’s progress
It’s been more than 6 months since Bankerohan Bridge (Gov. Generoso I) fell to ruin… yet today there’s not even a single pile driven to the ground for the new bridge. It’s as if the national government has no plans at all of restoring this vital infrastructure.
The Department of Public Works & Highways-Region 11 laments that there simply isn’t any money earmarked for the bridge. Wow… after half a year, still no action? It’s not a question of money. It’s a question of political will. Or the lack of it.
As I’d feared, the dismal performance of administration senatorial candidates in Davao in the May 2007 elections has resulted in a quid pro quo of sorts. In April, the president herself reportedly promised Davao city mayor Duterte that there would be funds allocated for a new bridge. But, instead, it now seems that Davao is bearing the brunt of the chief executive’s ire. Just because her boys lost in the political rat race.
Take a look around the city. Construction projects almost anywhere you go. Increased enrolment in Davao’s schools and colleges. DTI-11 reports a jump in the number of new business being registered. The local economy is apparently bullish, and could very well be geared for more rapid growth.
But for the bottleneck that is Bankerohan Bridge. Or the lack of it.
Instead of being an artery that fuels the city’s economic health, the Bankerohan area now poses as a stumbling block to the otherwise brisk pace of the city’s development.
The number of vehicles plying the city’s roads are visibly increasing. I’ve no actual figures, but judging by the presence alone of new car makes and models, it’s clear that Davao will soon need a serious upgrade of her public infrastructure.
Most of what you see in Davao are the effects of a strong private sector and a more-or-less supportive local government unit. What of the national government? Must Davao suffer for the ineptness of the present administration?
October 16th, 2007 at 3:14 pm
what! its already 6 months! geeez they need to do something.. i thought they are planning to finish it by december?
October 16th, 2007 at 6:11 pm
That’s simply not going to happen, otoy. How could there be a new bridge by December when until now they haven’t even laid any single portion of any kind of foundation!
October 16th, 2007 at 7:04 pm
Hi Blogie - I’ve had it in mind for the last week or so to write about this very subject, but had not gotten around to it yet. What you said pretty much sums up my thoughts on it anyway. I usually avoid the area if at all possible, but I passed over the other side of the bridge last week and noticed that, as you said, nothing had even been started yet. Very disgusting.
October 16th, 2007 at 8:11 pm
Hi!
Let’s see if the man can keep his word. Southern Mindanao director of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) offered to step down from office should there be no new bridge here by April 2008 to replace an old one that collapsed early this year.
I quote from “DPWH regional head stakes his job over Davao bridge” by Edith Regalado in the Philippine Star/abs-cbnnews.com of Oct. 11, 2007.
Further, it reads: “The foundation of the Gov. Generoso Bridge I collapsed after more than 50 years of use. The bridge was said to be the oldest in the city.
During the regular session of the city council last Tuesday, DPWH
Region XI director Hadji Pundiato Mitnug offered to give up his post
should the much-anticipated reconstruction of the bridge be not
completed by April next year…”
Perhaps the man will conquer the bridge, instead of letting the bridge conquer the man?
October 17th, 2007 at 3:46 pm
*sigh*
October 19th, 2007 at 8:52 pm
Why this fake president is doing it to us? Did she know Davao is the top performer in tax collection in the entire Philippines in four years. We want our money back…… its just this one simple bridge that cost a small fraction from what this city is fueling this country, just one bridge and she wont give it to us….. Geez I can’t wait for the day when that cheating “—–” go bye bye in Malacañang.
October 22nd, 2007 at 7:44 pm
Hi,
Good News! THERE is already a P230-million fund set aside for the reconstruction of the Generoso Bridge 1 in Bankerohan, Davao City, said first district Rep. Prospero C. Nograles.
The fund, he said, is from the Office of the President…
The lawmaker insisted the project is not delayed although not one single reinforcement bar has been moved in since the bridge was demolished in April this year.
Davao City has been repeatedly assured that the bridge will be rebuilt in one year. It’s been six months since the bridge collapsed.
“Kaya I am appealing to the Dabawenyos to be patient. It will really take time to process everything under the law,” Nograles said.
He said that four bidders have already been pre-qualified for the project and that once the project is awarded to the winning bidder the construction will immediately start.
“I don’t know who won but they are ready to start once it is awarded. There is already money for the project,” Nograles said.
I quote “Legislator says there’s P230 million for bridge” by Ben O. Tesiorna, sunstar.com.ph of 22 October, 2007.
October 26th, 2007 at 1:44 pm
I was in Davao last weekend and bad trip nga yung bottleneck sa area na yun. I wish they would be true to their word and start fixing the bridge.