Soriquez vows to finish bridge in record time

PORAC, Pampanga — Public Works and Highways Secretary Florante Soriquez returned the other day to the anti-lahar megadike here that got him embroiled in a controversy a few years ago, to inspect the construction of a P548-million bridge washed away by lahar flows in 1991.

Soriquez vowed to complete the bridge, one of the priority projects costing P3.5 billion in lahar-affected areas, within nine months, half the estimated time needed to complete it.

"I feel vindicated," he said while inspecting the project at the northern portion of the megadike in Barangay Mancantian here.

He recalled mounting criticisms while the megadike was being constructed during his term as chief of the Mt. Pinatubo Rehabilitation-Project Management Office of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

Escorted by a convoy of welcomers, Soriquez passed through areas where, at the height of the lahar flows from Mt. Pinatubo, local folk protesting anti-lahar projects had held rallies complete with mock coffins for him.

Thursday’s visit to the megadike was his first since he was named DPWH secretary.

Soriquez said he has taken Vice Gov. Mikey Arroyo’s challenge to finish the 270-meter long bridge within nine months.

The original bridge was completely washed away by lahar flows in 1991, cutting off the main road linking Porac and Angeles City. The bridge could not be reconstructed immediately as the section of the Pasig-Potrero River had remained an active lahar channel for years following Mt. Pinatubo’s eruption.

The bridge project is being funded from a P209-million loan from the Japan Bank for International Cooperation, with the Philippine government providing an additional P339 million.

The cost also covers the rehabilitation of the Angeles-Porac Road that is linked to the bridge.

"The reconstruction of the Angeles-Porac Road and the bridge crossing the Pasig-Potrero is featured in the master plan and feasibility study as necessary, being a segment of the so-called ‘rainbow highway’ stretching from Palayan City in Nueva Ecija through Tarlac, Angeles City and Porac in Pampanga, and Dinalupihan in Bataan, to Subic in Olongapo City," Soriquez said.

Soriquez downplayed fears that the new bridge would be vulnerable to lahar flows, saying it would have deeper foundations. Government scientists said serious lahar threats no longer exist.

When finished, the bridge, being built by the China Water company, would have 9.54-meter wide lanes and 1.1-meter wide sidewalks.

"Vice Gov. Mikey wants a 50 percent reduction in the construction time and so that’s what we will do," Soriquez said.

The other projects include the Gugu bridge in Bacolor town, the so-called tail dike at the lower section of the megadike, the rehabilitation of the lahar-buried highway between San Fernando and Bacolor, and the dredging of the so-called "third river" that will provide a new channel for floodwaters toward Manila Bay, and the Guagua-Pasac River.

Soriquez said he felt vindicated by the fact that the megadike, which served as catchment basin for lahar flows along the Pasig-Potrero River, has remained effective.

"It’s effective. Lahar is not reaching San Fernando and Angeles City, as well as Porac, Sta. Rita and Guagua," he said.