First District Cong. Edgar Chatto conducts an inspection of the construction of a flyover/interchanges of the Panglao/Dauis-Tagbilaran City offshore bridge project in barangay Totolan, Dauis. The inspection, which took place last week, is one of the major activities of the representative, reports from his office said.
The same source of information added that Chatto, during his inspection, was accompanied by the following: Dauis Mayor Miriam Sumaylo, Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) District Engr. Francis Flores, Congressional District Office Chief of Staff Abeleon Damalerio, Engineers of DPWH Regional Office 7 and a contractor’s representative.
The ongoing construction of the project, sources said, is part of the P500 million allocation in the 2018 budget.
This year, Chatto secured P200 million to build the rotunda at the intersection fronting the Tagbilaran City seaport and this has already been awarded to a contractor.
In a meeting of Bohol representatives with regional line directors, DPWH Regional Director Edgar Tabacon reported that the main bridge project is now up for funding with DPWH central office.
According to information from DPWH-7, the implementation of the main bridge is fast tracked with funding for the main bridge coming from an overseas development grant.
It was learned that the project is lined up for deliberation under the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) Investment Coordination Committee, awaiting evaluation of revised economic models.
“What is important is there will be no lull after the implementation of Panglao Island and Tagbilaran City sides,” Chatto stated.
Once completed, Chatto said, the offshore bridge will ensure a safe and reliable national road system from the Tagbilaran Port area to the Bohol-Panglao International Airport.
The offshore bridge connector project linking Tagbilaran City and Panglao island is intended to ease traffic caused by the development upsurge owing to the operation of the Bohol Panglao International Airport, especially once travel restrictions are lifted after the COVID-19 pandemic.
While development is tricky amid the crisis, the implementation of the bridge project is seen as done in good timing as infrastructure is key government lever in economic recovery and growth.