Valenzuela, Davao mayors score DPWH for bridge rows

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) got a double black eye Thursday from two mayors for allegedly bungling repair works for key bridges in Valenzuela and Davao Cities. In Valenzuela City, radio station dzBB reported that Mayor Sherwin Gatchalian blamed the DPWH's lack of planning for the delay in the reopening of the Tullahan Bridge. Gatchalian said that up to now, the DPWH still has no clear plan on how to reconstruct and reopen the bridge without messing up the temporary footbridge it set up. He noted that when the footbridge was damaged in a Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) clearing operation, the DPWH set up another footbridge. However, the footbridge was constructed in such a way that it would be impossible to dismantle the existing footbridge without affecting the "new" footbridge. The mayor said the DPWH cannot afford to remove both footbridges because so many residents have been using them daily. In Davao City, Mayor Rodrigo Duterte warned DPWH officials against spending Christmas in his turf if they cannot start rebuilding a key bridge there by that time. Sun.Star Davao reported Thursday that Duterte is fuming that the officials had been inspecting the area for months but have not started actual construction. Duterte gave the DPWH until December to at least start rebuilding the Generoso Bridge I in Bankerohan district. "I've seen a lot of officials from Manila visiting the bridge, they just look at the water," Duterte said in a television interview. "One of these days I will kick their asses, push them down the river," he added. The DPWH earlier announced that the 50-year-old bridge that collapsed earlier this year was to be replaced by a steel bridge. On President Arroyo's orders, however, the DPWH said they now plan to "upgrade" the bridge to a concrete one. DPWH officials said having a concrete bridge will mean the planned December 2007 completion cannot be met as there has to be at least three months curing time for the concrete. Yet, Duterte noted that with July almost over, not one column has been set up. "If the bridge is not there by Christmas, then ... don't celebrate Christmas in this city," Duterte said. - GMANews.TV