Bidding for Leyte bridge project done

TACLOBAN CITY, July 3 -- Bidding for the PHP200 million Binahaan Bridge Project in Pastrana town has already been completed, according to the Second Leyte Engineering District (2nd LED) of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

District Engineer Carlos Veloso, in an interview Monday, said with the bidding completed, the project is targeted to start this July.

Veloso said the project will be implemented by the regional office of the DPWH, but the district office is being given the green light to supervise the project’s implementation once it starts.

The Binahaan River Project is considered a top priority project of the office this year. It is being funded under its PHP 1.7 billion 2017 National Expenditure Program (NEP).

“We are eager for the project to commence as this is a vital bridge that would serve inland communities in Leyte,” Veloso said.

The new bridge for construction will be built along the Jaro-Dagami-Pastrana Road which traverses Binahaan River, one of Leyte’s biggest rivers.

When the river rises during bad weather, crossing it becomes dangerous both for people and vehicles.

The new bridge will facilitate the transport and easier movement of people and agricultural supplies, equipment, products and other goods.

“The bridge will definitely improve the economic condition of the communities it will serve,” Veloso said.

The Binahaan River also irrigates 6,317 hectares of rice fields and is the source of water for the Leyte Metropolitan Water District (LMWD) which serves potable water to the towns of Tanauan, Sta, Fe, Palo, Tolosa, Dagami, Pastrana, Tabon-Tabon and the city of Tacloban. (Ahlette C. Reyes/PNA)