The Department of Public Works and Highway (DPWH) aims to complete in 2018 the repair and replacement of bridges along Bohol Circumferential Road that were destroyed by the 7.2-magnitude earthquake in 2013.

Director Virgilio Castillo of DPWH Unified Project Management Office – Roads Management Cluster 1 said the Road Upgrading and Preservation Projects which are funded under Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) loan, cover the reconstruction or repair of six bridges under Package 1 and 2, as well as 1 bridge under Package 3.

Started in 2016, Package 1 costing P139.35 million involves the reconstruction of: Anislag Bridge in the municipality of Maribojoc and Palo and Hinawanan Bridges in the town of Loay, while Package 2 costing P95.13 million comprise of the reconstruction of Damiao in Inabanga town and Hunan Bridge in Buenavista, and repair of Bateria Bridge in Tubigon town.

“We’ve reminded the contractor MAC Builders to expedite ongoing construction of the bridge to ensure completion and opening before the end of the year,” said Director Castillo.

Package 3 on the other hand which covers the P445.77 million replacement of the 99-lineal meter Clarin Bridge in Loay town has commenced with a groundbreaking activity by Secretary Mark Villar, Cabinet Secretary Leoncio Evasco Jr., Congressman Arthur Yap and DPWH Undersecretary Emil Sadain last April and is planned for completion by October 2019.

“The replacement and repair of these bridges will mean better and resilient link between the towns, hence facilitate safer travels within this tourist-magnet province of Bohol,” said Director Castillo.