Aquino government inaugurates Aluling Bridge in
Ilocos Sur
CERVANTES, Ilocos Sur) The Aquino administration
opened another major bridge project that will benefit the Ilocos and Cordillera
regions through enhanced trade and tourism.
Ms. Viel Aquino-Dee, the Presidents’ sister,
together with Public Works and Highways Secretary Rogelio Singson and Defense
Secretary Voltaire Gazmin led the inauguration of the P191.3 million Aluling
Bridge here Thursday.
“Ngayong tapos na ang Aluling bridge, hindi na
po muling mailalagay sa bingit ng alanganin ang libu-libo nating kababayan.
Ngayon, malakas man ang ulan, at tumaas man ang ilog, ligtas na makakatawid ang
mga kababayan natin dahil sa tulay na ito,” the President said in a message
read by his sister.
“Ang mga produktong dati ay bumababa ang halaga
dahil natatagtag at nabubulok sa mahabang biyahe, ngayon ay mailalako sa
merkado sa tama at angkop na presyo. At siyempre, ang mga turista na dati ay
nahihirapang pumasok sa Cervantes, ngayon ay mas mae-engganyong bumisita sa
Gambang Falls at sa Yamashita Cave,” the President said.
Considered the longest bridge in the Philippines
not in terms of length but in terms of the number of years it took to complete,
the 180-meter Aluling bridge was completed by the Aquino administration after
35 years under the administration’s “daang matuwid” reform agenda.
“Simple lamang po ang mandato naming mga
lingkod-bayan: Ang ibigay ang inyong pangangailangan, sa pinakatapat,
pinakamabilis, at pinakatamang paraan. Mapa-ospital man o tulay, paaralan man o
pagkakataong pangkabuhayan— kapag may hinaing ang sambayanan, ora mismo, dapat
nandiyan ang pamahalaan,” the President said.
The project was conceptualized in 1978 as a five
span Reinforced Concrete Deck Girder type bridge funded by the DPWH through a
multi-year building initiative. However, the project suffered a snag in 1990
due to massive flooding.
In 1999, the DPWH restarted the project with a
plan to construct the bridge on another portion of the Abra River. The Aluling
bridge and approaches involve the construction of a 180-m bridge across Abra
River connecting Ilocos Sur and Tadian, Mountain Province.
Thirty-five years after its conceptualization in
1978, the project has finally been completed on March 25, 2013.
The completion of the bridge allows faster and
safer movement of people, goods, and products between Regions I and the
Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), benefiting around 1,247 motorists per
day.
The completion of the bridge cuts the average
travel time between Cervantes, Ilocos Sur and Tadian, Mountain Province from
one hour to 30 minutes.
The bridge will also support the trade and
tourism sectors in Cervantes, as it trades its products with Mt. Province, La
Union and Baguio City.
Dubbed as the summer capital of Ilocos Sur,
Cervantes’s major tourist attractions include the Bessang Pass Natural
Landmark, Gambang Falls, Yamashita Cave and the Municipal Tree Park. PND (as)
President Aquino lauds manufacturing industry
for supporting his administration
President Benigno S. Aquino III lauded the
manufacturing industry for supporting his administration's agenda of inclusive
growth.
"Achieving an equitably progressive future
lies in our ability to adopt technologies that lead to the production of better
goods and services. Enterprises such as yours, whose efforts anchor our nation’s
pursuit of an innovative edge, contribute greatly to our agenda of inclusive
growth," the Chief Executive said in his message to Techno-Trade
Resources, Inc. on the occasion of its 25th Anniversary.
President Aquino said his government remains committed
to ensure the development of the manufacturing industry by instituting reforms
that promote bureaucratic efficiency and address the specific needs and
concerns of the sector.
"I feel great pride at your success in
creating safe, durable roofing and piping supplies for the local market; your
accomplishments affirm our administration’s belief that there is no shortage of
homegrown Filipino companies with world-class products," he said.
The President cited the industry's efforts to
carry out initiatives in helping the government in its goal to spur economic
growth.
"Your government maintains its support for
your sector, as you carry out initiatives that will make you even more dynamic
participants in our economy," he stressed.
"May this milestone inspire you to work
with even greater passion, ensuring that integrity and excellence define your
pursuits, that you may contribute even further to our nation’s
development," he said.
Established in August of 1988, Techno-Trade
Resources is producing safe and durable roofing and piping supplies. PND (js)
Allergy forces President Aquino to ‘rest’
President Benigno S. Aquino III was forced to
take a break from presidential duties and rest as his allergy began acting up
on Thursday.
Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said
the President’s allergy began to become “active” after attending the Philippine
National Police’s commemoration of the 112th Police Service Anniversary at Camp
Crame in Quezon City on Tuesday.
Lacierda said the President’s allergic reaction
to pollen was aggravated because of the presence of floral arrangements at the
venue, the Multi-Purpose Center at the PNP headquarters.
“We would like to clarify that his allergy acted
up since Tuesday when he attended the PNP’s 112th Police Service Anniversary
and so during the course of the few days, his allergy has been quite active,”
Lacierda said.
He added that aside from resting, the President
is also taking his anti-allergy medication to counter the effects of his
adverse reaction to pollen.
“He’s resting right now. After presiding over
long meetings yesterday (Wednesday), nagpapahinga na siya (President Aquino)
ngayon,” Lacierda said. PND (rck)
President Aquino declares August 19 as special
non-working day in Angono, Rizal in celebration of its 75th Anniversary
President Benigno S. Aquino III has declared
August 19, which falls on a Monday, as a special (non-working) day in the
municipality of Angono in the province of Rizal in celebration of its 75th
Anniversary.
The Chief Executive issued the declaration
through Proclamation No. 632 signed by Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr.
on August 8, to give the people of Angono the full opportunity to celebrate and
participate in the occasion with appropriate ceremonies.
Angono was a barrio of its neighboring town
Taytay before being legally proclaimed an independent municipality on August
19, 1938 through Executive Order 158 signed by President Manuel L. Quezon.
On June 17, 1972, Republic Act 6469 ratified
Executive Order 158 and established the legality of Angono's status as a
municipality. PND (js)
