A composite team from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) central and Region 7 offices Thursday visited Bien Unido and Talibon for an ocular inspection of the possible anchor sites for the proposed bridge to link the two towns.
Public Works and Highways Secretary Rogelio Singson sent the team in answer to a follow up letter of Rep. Erico Aristotle Aumentado (Bohol, 2nd District).
Aumentado led the team to Barangays Nueva Esperanza in Bien Unido and San Isidro in Talibon where the water is shallow.
The team was composed of Engr. Ariel Peñaranda, Engineer III and Engr. Anna Maria Tabanera, Economist III, both of DPWH-Manila, and Engr. Waltham Obenario. Engineer II and Engr. Leonila Sinapsap. Engineer II, both of the regional office.
Buen Unido Mayor Niño Rey Boniel and Nueva Esperanza Barangay Captain Juan Hayahay acted as guide.
In Talibon, the team paid a courtesy call on Mayor Restituto Auxtero but former Mayor Juanario Item guided them to the proposed bridge anchor site.
The bridge, to be designed using DPWH standards, is expected to cut the travel time between the two towns and speed up the transfer of people and goods.
Bien Unido and Talibon in Bohol’s northern tip are both on the mainland, but they are points on promontories separated by a bay.
Aumentado said this means the cost of goods will go down hence, prices of commodities will reduce. The market linkage will also spur economic development for the two towns.
Meanwhile, four Liberal Party mayors in the 2nd District have junked the LP bet for congressman.
The four mayors have declared their support for Aumentado and let the latter campaign in their respective political rallies.
Aumentado said in the 2nd District, the political party is not the issue: it is who can deliver better services.
(June S. Blanco)