GENERAL SANTOS CITY, Nov. 27 (PNA) — The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) will start early next year the reconstruction of a bridge connecting Koranadal City and Lutayan town Sultan Kudarat that was destroyed during a major flood in June.
South Cotabato second district Rep. Ferdinand Hernandez said Friday the project’s preparatory works will begin within the first quarter of 2016 based on its implementation schedule set by the DPWH-Region 12.
He said the PHP70-million budget for the project is now ready for release based on an advisory received by his office.
Hernandez and Sultan Kudarat first district Rep. Raden Sakaluran jointly lobbied for the project’s approval and funding through their respective congressional funds.
“We prioritize this project because it is a high-impact infrastructure and will directly help a lot of people in the area,” he said.
The damaged bridge, which is located at the boundary of Barangays General Paulino Santos and Namnama in Koronadal City, connects a vital provincial road that leads to the municipalities of Lutayan and Columbio in Sultan Kudarat.
Sakaluran said the rebuilding of the bridge will mainly benefit farmers from the said towns.
“My constituents had asked me to lobby for this project, although it is not within my district, as it also important to their livelihood,” he said.
The local governments of Koronadal and South Cotabato earlier sought the help of the two congressmen and the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council for the reconstruction of the Namnama bridge.
The Namnama bridge was among the three bridges traversing the Marbel River in Koronadal City that were damaged by the floods in the area last June 24.
The bridge’s center foundation and three slab flooring totally collapsed, requiring the construction of a new 60-meter structure. (PNA)