Austria’s bridge diplomacy

Over the past five years, an Austrian engineering company specializing in bridge construction has been busy as a bee in the Philippines, replacing obsolete and rickety spans and setting up new ones in the remote areas which has been sadly lagging behind in economic progress.

More than just being part of the overall road network, bridges are invariably meant to connect the present to the future when people are supposed to enjoy better lives because their communities have turned into beehives of business and commercial activities.

Since 2001 when Waagner Biro Philippines completed its first pilot bridge in San Miguel, Bulacan, the company has been directly involved in the construction of a total of 418 bridges nationwide, consisting of over 20,000 linear meters of modular steel truss frames that are meant to last a lifetime. The latest was set up in Barangay Catigbi-an in Buenavista town, Bohol Island, which was formally opened to vehicular traffic September 2.

The 30-meter Catigbi-an bridge, which replaced an aging one-lane span, was one of the 112 bridges involving a total length of 7,825 linear meters built under the Austrian-assisted Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Bridge Construction-Replacement Project. This is being implemented in cooperation with internationally renowned bridge-builder Waagner Biro (WB), together with its consortium partner MCE.

At the turnover rites for the Catigbi-an bridge, which was completed ahead of schedule, Bohol Gov. Erico Aumentado cited the project as a catalyst to quicken economic growth of his province. On the same occasion, Austrian Trade Commissioner Dr. Walter Hoefle cited its bilateral partnership with the Philippines in promoting growth and development in the communities.

The Catigbi-an project was preceded by two WB projects – a 40-meter span in Barangay Caningu-an in Lambunao town, Iloilo, and a 30-meter bridge in Linapawan, Roxas town in Palawan.

Aside from being involved in DPWH projects, Waagner Biro is also a Philippine government partner in implementing the President’s Bridge Program Phase II involving 306 bridges being spearheaded by the Department of the Interior and Local Government.

In a manner of speaking, this vigorous bridge-building program comes as a silent revolution meant to deeply alter the social and economic landscape in the provinces. It is this sort of upheaval most welcome by the people, since it results in economic and social uplift for Filipinos in the grassroots.

Interestingly, the level municipal council of Claveria in Misamis Oriental took a step further in their appreciation of Austria’s beneficence, by passing a resolution naming a newly completed 50-meter bridge in Barangay Aposkahoy the "Harald Ulbrich Bridge," after the Austrian consul who helped tap funds for the bridge project.

The Austrian assistance also involves technology transfer hence, the Waagner Biro engineers has trained their Filipino counterparts in the art and science of designing substructures and installations of bridges that could last a century or more.

The 150-year-old Austrian engineering and construction company has been maximizing the use of the "permanent modular steel design and structure meant for heavy-duty functions and durability" in contrast to the classical temporary bailey bridges that are meant for emergency and military use only. The WB officials describe modular bridges as the "most versatile unit constructions," thus they could be adjusted to suit local conditions."

Waagner Biro officials cite as example the 25-meter Kuyapi Bridge in General Nakar, Quezon Province, the only bride left undamaged by the killer floods spawned by typhoon Winnie in December last year.

From the looks of it, Waagner Biro will continue to be the Philippine government’s partner in development - building bridges, and, pardon the pun, bridging communities and many sectors of society.

"Bridge Diplomacy." This phrase easily came to mind, when I considered this fruitful bilateral cooperation between two countries half the globe apart.

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Balikbayans always look for home-made Filipino cooking. I take my Balikbayan relatives and friends to either of two Bangus Specialty Restaurants for the most delectable bangus dishes and other traditional Pinoy viands and delicacies. The two restaurants are found right smack in the middle of commercial shopping centers, so it’s easy to take guests to gastronomic feasts after their shopping spree. One is at the Connecticut Carpark Building 1 of Greenhills Shopping Center, and the other is at Level 2 Rodeo Drive, Robinsons Mall, in Ortigas.

The restaurants are owned and run by sisters Diana de Mesa Santamaria and Erlinda de Mesa Yap of Tri-Chefs Food Corp. For the past 20 years, the two have been experimenting with new, exciting bangus dishes.

The results are indeed exciting. They’re called "Fab 4," meaning four fabulous ways to enjoy bangus. These are Bangus Tempura, or bangus fillet tempura done the "Takayama way," light and crisp with okra, eggplant and sweet potato and served with original Tempura sauce; Bangus Orientale, pan-fried choice cuts of bangus marinated in a Thai-inspired concoction; Bangus Samosa, bangus dumplings crispy fried to perfection, and Lumpiang Capampangan, made from bangus flakes and green papaya.

There are many other bangus dishes that your Balikbayan visitors may not have tried yet, like three bangus salads. And there’s the traditional Pinoy favorites – bulalo (simply out-of-this-world), crispy tadiang, laing, kare-kare and chicken relleno. For dessert, there’s the Pinoy touch in halo-halo, maja blanca and reina blanca, haleya sa ube and leche flan.

By the way, Bangus Specialty Restaurant is accepting applications for franchising. The first franchisee is at Bangus Alabang at the Alabang Shopping Mall. For franchising inquiries, call 7252751 and 7238220.

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"Invisible," an exhibit of kinetic art created by sculptor Gabriel Barredo, will be opened to the public at the Ayala Museum, Greenbelt 4, in Makati City, from October 13 until November 6 everyday, except on Mondays. The gallery opens at 9 a.m. on weekdays and 10 a.m. on weekends.

The exhibit features Barredo’s new works - made of found objects such as conveyor belts, nylon threads, tires, chandeliers, eviscerated piano, spandex, pipes, film strips and electric fans. Barredo is a multi-awarded artist whose works astonish viewers for their originality.

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The Inner Wheel Club of Manila annual Christmas bazaar will be held Saturday, Nov. 5, at the World Trade Center in Roxas Blvd., Pasay City.

Dubbed "Sari-Saring Shopping, Sari-Saring Tulong," the Christmas sale will delight shoppers with decors, apparel for men, ladies and kids, household novelties, handicrafts, toys, books, personal care products, international food, and other gift items. There will also be product demos, promotions, samplings, fashion shows, and on-the-spot raffle prizes for lucky shoppers of the day.

Mrs. Drina R. Ampil, IWCM president, says that as in the past years, proceeds of this year’s bazaar will go to the IWCM projects like its feeding program, day care center, medical missions, scholarship program, sewing and computer training for out-of-school youth and housewives, and its 152-geriatric wards pavilion at the National Center for Mental Health.

Mrs. Marivic A. Juico, Christmas bazaar committee chair, says more table areas are available to interested concessionaires. Contact Ms. Ampil at 9244494, Ms. Marivic Juico at 8956744, or the IWCM secretariat, 5249914/5221864.

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My e-mail: [email protected]