Gov. Albert Garcia makes a point during presentation of interlink bridge engineering design. Contributed photo
BALANGA CITY — The Department of Public Works and Highways conducted Wednesday its first inter-agency steering committee meeting to discuss the Detailed Engineering Design (DED) of the Bataan–Cavite Interlink Bridge.
Gov. Albert Garcia said Thursday that the DED of the project is almost 34 percent completed that was targeted for full completion in the first quarter of 2023.
The meeting was held to give-way to suggestions, ideas, issues and even fear of stakeholders on the building of the bridge that will connect the provinces of Bataan and Cavite.
“This is one of the biggest infrastructure development projects under the Build, Build, Build program of President Rodrigo Duterte,” the governor said.
DPWH Sec. Roger Mercado presided over the meeting at a hotel in Manila. Undersecretary for Unified Project Management Office Emil Sadain acted as committee chairman.
Also present in the meeting were project director Sharif Madsmo Hasim, DPWH Usec. Constante Llanes, Jr. Bataan 2nd District Rep. Jose Enrique Garcia III, Cavite district Engr. Gilbert Gandia and other DPWH officials.
“Inaasahang magiging mitsa ng napakalaking pagbangong pang-ekonomiya ang Bataan-Cavite Interlink Bridge hindi lamang sa mga probinsya ng Bataan at Cavite, kung hindi maging sa buong bansa dahil mapagdudugtong nito ang Region 3 at Region 4A pati na ang National Capital Region,” the Bataan governor said.
“Ang impact ng proyektong ito ay hindi lamang sa pagbibigay ng mas maraming oportunidad na pang-ekonomiya at turismo para sa ating lalawigan, kung hindi pati na rin sa pagsusulong ng mas de-kalidad na pamumuhay para sa bawat Bataeno,” Garcia furthered.
The bridge that will pass over Manila Bay is about 32.15 kilometers long. The multi-billion peso-bridge has for its starting point in Barangay Alas-asin in Mariveles and its end in Naic, Cavite.
