Arroyo hails Austrian government for backing bridge program

The residents of a sleepy yet rugged town in Camarines Norte can now look forward to an upsurge in business activities, strengthened socio-cultural links with neighboring municipalities and commuting convenience, thanks to a structural steelwork company based thousands of miles away in Vienna, Austria.

The Hinipaan Bridge, a spanking new 30-meter structure in Mercedes town recently inaugurated by President Arroyo, is expected to spur much-needed economic growth and development in this part of the country.

After the inauguration rites, the President lauded the Austrian government for supporting her administration’s bridge program, thus empowering rural communities and helping them attain higher levels of socio-economic growth.

Waagner-Biro Phils. president and chief executive officer Helmut Wuzela, Austrian Ambassador Dr. Christian Krepela, Interior and Local Government Secretary Joey Lina Jr., Office of the President Development Services director Normando Toledo, Gov. Jesus Typoco Jr. and other Camarines Norte officials attended the bridge’s inauguration.

Toledo said the Austrians are involved in the President’s Bridge Program in another, more technical aspect. The initiative utilizes Austria’s Waagner-Biro modular bridges, which are structurally designed to withstand the rugged conditions in the Philippine countryside, but are easy to install.

Waagner-Biro, one of the top names in modular bridges worldwide, is part of WB Holding AG, a group of companies with interests in medium-sized Austrian and international companies that are active in mechanical engineering, plant engineering and structural steelwork. The group maintains 22 locations on three continents.

Waagner-Biro is involved in the construction, enlargement, reinforcement and repair of bridges; customized bridges; mechanical engineering and contract manufacturing. Aside from the Philippines, it has offices and projects in other Asian countries.