Arroyo to inaugurate bridge in Nueva Ecija after 17-year construction

MANILA, Philippines - President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo would lead the inauguration of the Gaudencio Antonino bridge in Cabiao in Nueva Ecija on Friday, Malacañang announced Thursday. A Palace statement said the bridge, then known as Cabiao Bridge, was destroyed in 1990 after rushing waters and illegally cut trees from Sierra Madre washed it away. The inauguration caps a 17-year construction period involving some P55.082 million in pork barrel funds of Rep. Rodolfo Antonino. During Friday's inauguration, the late senator Gaudencio Antonino, a native of Nueva Ecija and an engineer, will be honored. According to the Palace, the 708-meter-long bridge named after the former senator will link villages of Jaen, San Antonino and Zaragoza towns in the province. Following the inaugural rites Arroyo will motor to the residence of Rep. Antonino at Langla village in Jaen to lead in the distribution of scholarship vouchers, PhilHealth cards, Self-employment Assistance Kaunlaran (SEA-K) program certificates and public safety program assistance. - GMANews.TV