Citizenspeak5

PIA Feature: Broken Bridge, Broken Promises

by Dabie Babao

Davao City (31 January) -- The warmth of humid air and the discomfort bothering a passenger inside a running jeepney is never-ending. Every morning these people are being delayed for their daily work because of the broken bridge months have passed.

It was during the early part of last year's election when the five-decade old Bankerohan Bridge (aka Gov. Generoso Bridge) collapsed. It has been reported that the budget for the damaged bridge is P206 million pesos. The bridge will be expected to be fixed hopefully this August 2008.

Junichi Dan Ross Miyake, a student studying in Ateneo de Davao University, said that the traffic every morning did worst for his schedule since it gave hassle things like waking up earlier in the morning and sometimes being forced to take a taxi for him not to be late for his class. As a student, taxi is not on the budget. His allowance is good for his meals and meriendas for school, not to mention the photocopies and other fees in school.

Jeepney drivers are also not happy with the government's promises since they cannot see any improvements or even actions of starting the bridge.

Not only that, the residents from Southern area are being inconvenienced by the traffic jams along McArthur Highway in Matina and Quirino avenues in the downtown area and at Quimpo Boulevard, near Sandawa and Bolton Bridge. forcing some motorists from the south to take the Diversion Road.

The question is who are to be blamed? When the bridge collapsed the government promised that within 8 months the bridge will be fixed. Now, could anyone in the city passing by the bridge ever saw development of it? The answer is none. No changes from the day it collapsed up to now.

From the different people, they are hoping for a development which is almost a year now. The bridge is a big help in the city because of the increasing numbers of vehicles. Their voices are needed to be heard. They even call our city as the most livable city but what happened here is, a crash. (ADDU/PIA)

No work

For the past four nights I had social engagements downtown and had to go home almost midnight to Matina.

On all four occasions, I noticed that there is no work at the Bankerohan Bridge.

So, whatever happened to the promised overtime and 24-hour work to rush the reconstruction of the destroyed bridge?

Last Wednesday, I sat in between Ateneo de Davao president Fr. Antonio Samson and George Sorio of Cyber City who hosted a lunch meeting of academicians to prepare more students for the expanding BPO industry.

In between bites of shrimps, nuts and broccolis, the Jesuit was almost "cursing" the delay of the bridge project. He repeated to me three times to call the attention of the President.

Hey, Madam President what's happening to our bridge project?!!

Inspection

JIMMY Romero (center), project inspector of Ciriaco Construction, Inc. studies the blueprint and how the construction of Generoso Bridge I along MacArthur Highway will be carried out. The construction of the bridge will start tomorrow, January 16, as stated in the contract. EDGAR ARRO/ Mindanao Times Jan 15

DPWH makes new promise

Here is the latest assurance from the DPWH - from its head no less - that the reconstruction of the Bankerohan bridge would be "completed early."

Here is the Manila Times report.

Neighbors concerned too

Davao City neighbors share Bankerohan bridge concern

by RG Alama

Davao City (16 January) -- Officials and leaders of different provinces here in Davao Region are also concerned about the ongoing progress of the Davao City's Bankerohan bridge.

The bridge which collapse in May last year has been bogged by delays and the construction of a new bridge to supersede the 50-year old structure is slated to commence this January 16 and is expected to be completed by August this year.

Davao City 2nd District Congressman Isidro Ungab, during in a media forum said that aside from local Davao City officials who were following up the progress of the construction bridge, Congressmen from Davao del Norte and Davao del Sur were also following up on the bridge's progress.

Congressman Ungab said that even if the bridge is located in the City's first district, the effects of a damaged infrastructure is felt not just by the other city districts but also by the City's neighbors as well particularly Davao del Sur.

The Department of Public Works and Highways Regional Office under Regional Director Engr. Jerome dela Rosa has informed the media last week of the release of a Notice to Proceed to Ciriaco Construction, the contractors of the P206-million project.

Engr. Dela Rosa said one of the delays in the bridge's construction was the rules and procedure of the Commission of Audit which the Department is mandated to follow.

Other delays include the lack of a berthing space for the contractor to unload their materials. The contractor would be utilizing a private pier in Sasa as a berthing area for their materials. (PIA)

New deadline

The regional office of the DPWH finally explains the delay of the bridge reconstruction apparently only after their boss in Manila berated them for failing to update the people on the much-delayed project.

I emailed Regional Director Jerome dela Rosa three days ago informing him of this blog. He has not replied yet but he held a hastily arranged presscon yesterday to announce a new deadline ... August.

Part of the explanation for the delay is the difficulty of the contractor's barge to enter the project site. Oh oh, the contractor should have considered this vital matter before participating in the bidding. On this score, the contractor has already shown incompetence.

Citizenspeak4

A construction veteran reacts to Nogie's precast explanation. His experiences include building the world's tallest structure in Taipei and the world's best airport in Singapore, which incidentally inaugurated its Terminal 3 the other day.

Here is his email (address omitted)

Hi Pete,

I have been in the construction work overseas for the past 17 years. I'm not an expert in Pre Cast construction but, hell I've seen all the secrets of German, French and Japanese construction Technology. I have been involve with Changi T3 airport, Taipei 101, and another 9 blocks of 30 storey condo projects.

If what Mr. Nograles saying is true then there should a fixed structure in the ends of precast structure. He can also bring the media to the pre cast plants to show the pre fab casting.

It is going to be very expensive to cast the bridge off site then bring to site specially if the casting plant is in Manila. The equipment and machines for precasting are more easier to bring into Davao.

I think this is going to be another "Davao Airport money Cow" on the making.

Best Regards,

Leonardo

Apologist

Rep. Boy Nograles has from Day 1 become the national government (Palace and DPWH) apologist for the delay in the reconstruction of the Bankerohan Bridge.

Here he goes again explaining the absence of any work at the site and predicting a new completion date ... March, April, May ...

He has now become the apologist too of the contractor.

Citizenspeak3

From guillermo:
"Peter, a law is crafted for the benefit of the people. If a law stands in the way of people's benefit, do we just sit back? The President and DPWH loose credibility with the continued lack of action. However, the bigger loosers (the greatest number) are the citizens who have been severly affected by this. How many citizens does Davao have? If each one puts aside 1 peso (P1.00) per day for 365 days, we would have enough to pay for that bridge from our own pockets, right? So, lets do that and have our own City Engineers office do the job starting today!"

From bong v.:
"If the bridge can't be constructed because it passes through a national road. Then do the following:
* Construct a local road that connects to the national road
* Construct the bridge on the local road."

Again, from guillermo:
"I can not understand this penchant for saying that we can not do anything because it is a "national" road. If you go to Tagum City, you will see work on the "national" road going on and the only sign that heralds this work is one that says: Project of the City of Tagum. If they can do it, why can't we?"

Inquirer.net

Big thanks to fellow blogger and journalist Erwin Oliva for writing about this blog at Inquirer.net

With this media institution's wide following and influence, I am certain that our pleas would reach the Palace occupant and her minions at the DPWH.

This is our online Hoy Gising!

Here's the story - Davao City councilor creates blog to monitor bridge project

Mayor at a loss

This is the nth time the Mayor expressed his frustration over the Bankerohan Bridge. Before it was about endless promises for the funds for its reconstruction. Now, its the same refrain ... promises when to start and end the construction.

Here is Ben O. Tesornia's Sunstar's story today:

Delay in Bankerohan bridge construction dismays mayor

Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte expressed exasperation over the very much-delayed construction of the Bankerohan Bridge that was destroyed last year.

In his television program "Gikan sa Masa, Para sa Masa" Sunday, Duterte held his hands up signifying his frustration for the said project that is being undertaken by the Department of Public Works and Highways.

"Ambot kinsa'y akong pangutan-on ana. I'm really at a loss for an explanation. I simply do not know what's causing the delay," Duterte said.

The city mayor explained that the said project is being handled by the National Government and not the City Government since the said bridge is part of a national road.

He said the law prohibits the City Government to spend for projects under the National Government.

Duterte said until now he still has not seen any physical activity going on in the area contrary to statements of officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) that the actual construction would start by December 2007 and end by May 2008.

Duterte said he already asked help from no less than President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to fast track the bridge construction, but the President's order seems to fall on deaf ears.

Sun.Star Davao tried getting reaction from officials of the DPWH Southern Mindanao, but in vain.

And here is Edith Regalado's Philippine Star story also today:

Duterte to DPWH: Where’s the new bridge?

DAVAO CITY – City residents are asking where is the bridge that the national government promised to build in place of the old Generoso Bridge at the Bankerohan public market that collapsed in 2006.

“I am at a loss for words how to explain to the people how many times I have asked the national government and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) about the construction of a new bridge. But still, until now, not a single work has been started,” Mayor Rodrigo Duterte said.

The Generoso Bridge, built in the 1950s, was considered a vital link connecting the downtown area to the southern parts of the city. It collapsed in 2006 due to wear and tear.

Duterte said President Arroyo, in a visit here last year, told him that the construction of the new bridge could be delayed to correct an alleged anomaly in the project.

“But until now, we are still waiting for the DPWH to work on the bridge,” Duterte said, citing earlier reported claims by the department that the project would be finished by April this year.

Duterte explained that there is a law that prohibits local government units to intervene in projects implemented on national roads and even on barangay roads.

“We do not have control over national roads and it so happened that the bridge is part of a national road and is supposed to be a national project,” he said.

Even if the city government has the money to construct a new bridge, Duterte said it still could not do so because of such a prohibition.

He said the city government could not proceed with its ongoing traffic signalization project because of an important connection that the new bridge would provide.

“The city could source out money on its own but the problem is the bridge is on a national road, hence, the DPWH should take care of it as the law provides,” he said.

Citizenspeak2

Hi Peter,

The bridge Generoso 1 certainly is a vital bridge connecting the
southern half, not only of our city, but of Mindanao as it leads to
Cotabato, Gen. San and more.

Looking at our bridges over the Davao River, I wonder what the plans
are for the other rivers that we have to cross as we move from the
poblacion to the south of the city.

Consider this:
1. Davao river has about 12 lanes of bridges from the diversion road
to bolton bridge.
2. Pangi river in Matina has eight (8) lanes.
3. Talomo river has four next to the coke plant.

Twelve, down to eight, down to four is a lousy situation.

A truck breaks down on the bridge over talomo and traffic backs up
all the way to the puan/talomo junction, almost at the solariega gate.

What is the plan for roads?

Below is something I wrote sometime last year, October.  I am not
sure if I sent you this.

Hi,

Yesterday, Cindy and I took a road trip to Nabunturan and Mati.  The
trip up north is very pleasant, after you cross the Lasang area into
Davao del Norte.

Davao's roads are small and choked with jeeps, trikes and 40 footer
container vans jockeying for an inch of cement.  One lane going
north, one going south from Panacan onwards.  Except for the Holcim
area, all roads that have been widened are of no value because of
vehicles parked, wanton loading/unloading of jeeps/buses and people
selling stuff.

In contrast, Davao del Norte from Panabo up to the northern end of
Tagum's poblacion have at least two lanes moving north, at least two
moving the opposite direction.  Even with the tricycle congestion of
Panabo and Tagum, traveling thru is a breeze!

Tagum has began planting royal palm, red palm, suntan and other
greens a long way before you see habitation, or the poblacion.  Five
years from now, the royal palm will be a sight to behold!

In Mati, we visited Councilor Alan Andrada whose father was buried
yesterday and Gov. Cora Malanyaon.  It was good renewing friendships.

Gov. Malanyaon wanted us to stay longer, the drive to Davao should
take 2.5 hours according to her.  It did not.  The longest part of
the trip was in the area of Tibungco, bumper to bumper, stop and go
with absolutely no traffic personnel to manage the flow.

I had earlier posted an email on green cities.  It takes time to get
to that stage.  When will we start?

For instance, the tourists plane in.  Nice airport terminal, better
than what they experienced in Manila or Cebu?  Moving outside they
see this island with plants, lasts for about 5 seconds.  Nothing
after that.

Just feeding you with a citizens point of view.

Regards.

Chito

Citizenspeak1

Here are the initial comments from Citizens:

From valQ

"For almost 30 years we live in Brgy. Mintal (3rd District) and the Bankerohan bridge is very important to us (from the south). I support this "Citizen's Watch" activity initiated by our good councilor Pete.

Thanks."

From dominique

"Hi, Councilor Pete:

Happy New Year! and kudos on this blog. This is another fine example of establishing transparency. "Many eyes make all bugs shallow," in programming terms.

I'll write about the bridge from time to time.

Anything else you would like us to do, do let us know."

Metran joins Watch

Engr. Meinrado Metran, who twice served as City Engineer, has volunteered to join the Citizens Watch.

In a text message to Councilor Peter Lavina, Metran offered to monitor the progress of the bridge construction.

Metran studied at the Philippie Military Academy, University of Mindanao College of Engineering & Architecture, and at the Asian Institute of Management. He is also active in the Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers.

Jun Ledesma's Invisible Bridge

Sunstar columnist Serafin "Jun" Ledesma is one among many concerned citizens fed up by numerous promises for the reconstruction of the Bankerohan Bridge.

Here is his first column item for the year. Yup It is devoted to "The Invisible Bridge."

November Idea

Here is the start of this idea:

Sunstar November 29, 2007

Watch group pushes for bridge work monitoring

DAVAO City Councilor Peter Laviña called for the creation of a citizens watch group to closely monitor the rebuilding of the Bankerohan Bridge.

Laviña said there is a need to closely guard the Department of Public Works & Highways (DPWH) and the bidding contractor to implement the reconstruction without delay and without additional cost.

He said a vigilant citizenry would ensure that the bridge construction would be finished on time, adding that many months have already been wasted in the reconstruction of the bridge that collapsed last April.

Laviña, who chairs the City Council committee on trade, commerce and industry, said each day that passes without the bridge brings economic loses to the city in terms of business loses, lost opportunities, and more burnt fuel due to traffic.

DPWH confirmed earlier than the reconstruction will start within this week - a development waited for by Dabawenyos suffering from the ill effects of the collapse.

Citizens' Watch

Hello!

Fed up waiting for the reconstruction of the Bankerohan Bridge?

Well, many of us do. But we appear to be helpless. Unless we do something about it.

Here is one thing we can do.

Closely watch what the DPWH and the contractor are doing or not doing.

Yeah this is the Bankerohan Bridge Citizens Watch.