Inauguration of Tigum Bridge. Brgy Tabucan, Cabatuan, Iloilo Video courtesy of RTV-Malacañang

PIA 2010/06/28

Iloilo City (28 June) -- President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo inaugurated the P160-million Tigum Bridge in Barangay Tabucan, Cabatuan, Iloilo during her last visit to the province, June 28.

President Arroyo unveiled the marker of the project, which came in the form of an obelisk, together with Iloilo 3rd District Congressman and Governor-elect Arthur Defensor, Sr., Cabatuan mayor Ramon Yee, other local officials, and officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

The structure was constructed to replace the old bridge that was destroyed during the onslaught of typhoon Frank in Western Visayas on June 21, 2008, together with 10 other bridges and a number of infrastructures in the region especially in Panay Island.

The bridge is located along the national highway connecting the central towns of the province to the provincial capital of Iloilo City. It is also along the old route connecting Iloilo to the provinces of Capiz and Aklan.

It will be recalled that given the devastation wrought by the typhoon, President Arroyo included in her State of the Nation Address (SONA) in July 2008 a program dubbed "Paglaum Fund" for the rehabilitation of damage caused by typhoon Frank including the construction of a bridge over Tigum River.

A bill was filed in Congress by Iloilo solons in support of the program with the corresponding budgetary requirements needed to implement rehabilitation projects.

However, in view of the urgency of the rehabilitation program, President Arroyo said they did not wait for the bill to be passed into law before making money available.

"We looked for where to get the money in the regular budget so that rehabilitation of typhoon Frank would begin immediately," recalled the President in her message during the inauguration.

A meeting made by Defensor together with Presidential Assistant for Western Visayas Raul Banias with the Chief Executive during a state reception for visiting Papua New Guinea Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare in Boracay Island in March 2009 helped expedite the release of the funds for the Tigum Bridge project and hundreds of millions of pesos more for other typhoon rehabilitation projects.

The President also included the damage caused by Frank in the rehabilitation program for typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng, whose devastating onslaught in Luzon in 2009 generated tremendous international and national private sector support.

"All of my executive orders always included the rehabilitation not only of typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng but also of typhoon Frank," said the President.

"Now, Iloilo looks as if no devastation struck it," she added, referring in particular to the implementation of rehabilitation projects in the province.

President Arroyo visited Iloilo and other parts of the region on many occasions in connection with the implementation of various development programs and projects in line with the Ten-Point Agenda of her administration. (PIA 6)

PND Monday, 28 June 2010

CABATUAN, Iloilo (PND) – President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo personally thanked the people of Iloilo for giving her the “opportunity to serve” them and the rest of the nation during her term as the country’s 14th president.

In brief remarks after the ceremonial drive-thru of the newly constructed Tigum bridge which she inaugurated here today, the Chief Executive said it was an honor to have served the people of Iloilo and that the P160-million bridge is part or her legacy to the province.

The Tigum bridge was destroyed when flood waters brought about by torrential rains spawned by typhoon Frank in 2008 nearly cut the vital link of nearby towns to the city in half.

President Arroyo forthwith instructed the Department of Public Works and Highways to rebuild the bridge and allotted P160-million for its reconstruction.

“On my last visit to your province as your President, I am very grateful and let me take the opportunity to thank the people of Iloilo for your support and for giving me the honor of being able to serve you during and after typhoon Frank and even long before that,” the President said in Ilonggo.

“Damo gid salamat (thank you very much),” she said in the Ilongo dialect.

During the occassion, the President interviewed two beneficiaries of the new Tigum bridge: Vitaliano Arcos, a 70-year old watchman of the firm that built the bridge and Norberto Caballero, a 59-year old tricycle driver.

Arcos said that if it weren’t for the employment opportunity offered by the construction of the Tigum bridge, he would not have been able to provide for his family of 16 children.

Caballero, on the hand, said that with the opening of the bridge, the ferrying of passengers to and from their destinations will now be easier. He also said that he expects to double his income since most of it will not have to go to the repair and upkeep of his tricycle that regularly bogs down from passing through the poorly built and temporarily used Bailey bridge that was constructed in lieu of the destroyed Tigum bridge.

Caballero and Arcos were profuse in thanking the Chief Executive for the construction of the bridge saying they could expect it to have an impact on their daily chores. (PND)

Tigum: President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo unveils together with Iloilo 3rd District Congressman and Governor-elect Arthur Defensor, Sr. the marker of the new Tigum Bridge in Barangay Tabucan, Cabatuan, Iloilo during the inauguration of the P160-million infrastructure project, June 28. It was constructed beside the old bridge that was destroyed during the onslaught of typhoon Frank on June 21, 2010. (PIA 6)

PIA 2010/06/28

Cabatuan, Iloilo (28 June) -- President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is set to inaugurate the newly rehabilitated Tigum Bridge here when she visits the province today.

The President will lead marker unveiling and ceremonial drive-thru formally opening the bridge to vehicular traffic after a project briefing by Public Works Secretary Victor Domingo.

The Tigum Bridge, which serves as a vital link connecting the central towns of Iloilo to the city proper and which also serves an alternate route to the provinces of Capiz and Aklan, was destroyed when Typhoon Frank pummeled the Visayas region in 2008.

Rebuilt and rehabilitated at a cost of P147.65-million, the new Tigum Bridge now consists of six spans of 170-linear meters long pre-stressed concrete girders on bored pile foundation with new approaches.

Joining the President for the project inaugural will be Iloilo Governor Niel Tupas, Sr., Iloilo 3rd Dist. Rep. Arthur Defensor, 1st Dist. Rep. Janette Garin, 2nd Dist. Rep. Judy Syjuco, 4th Dist. Rep. Ferj Biron, Cabatuan Mayor Ramon Yee, Tabucan Barangay Chair Nelson Arcos, Banguit Barangay Chair Gary Bibanco, and DPWH 6 Regional Director Rolando Asis. (PIA-MMIO)

Vitaliano Arcos, a widower and father of 16 children, relates to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo the benefits derived by his family and barriomates during the construction and completion of the new Tigum Bridge destroyed by typhoon "Frank" in 2008. President Arroyo led the inauguration of the bridge in Brgy. Tabucan, Cabatuan on June 28, 2010. With her are Mayor Ramon Yee, Governor-elect Arthur Defensor, Congressman-elect Arthur Defensor, Jr. (partly-hidden), DPWH Usec. Rafael Yabut,PA for WV Raul Banas and DPWH 6 Director Rolando Asis. (PIA)

PIA 2010/06/28

Iloilo City (28 June) -- President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo thanked Ilonggos for the support they gave her administration and for the opportunity to serve them, in her speech during her visit to Iloilo on June 28, barely two days before her term ends.

"Let me take this opportunity to thank the people of Iloilo for your support and for giving me the honor of being able to serve you during and after typhoon "Frank" and even long before that. Madamo gid nga salamat sa inyo nga tanan," President Arroyo said.

The President led the unveiling rites and inauguration of the new Tigum Bridge in Brgy. Tabucan, Cabatuan which was destroyed by typhoon "Frank" in June 2008.

Likewise, President Arroyo expressed her gratitude to all those who built the Tigum Bridge and the other infrastructures that were damaged during the onslaught of typhoon "Frank".

"Now Iloilo looks as if no devastation ever struck it, it does not look like the armageddon that it looked in typhoon "Frank", so we are grateful for that and we thank those who built this bridge and the other infrastructures," said President Arroyo.

Tigum Bridge is one of the new four bridges that were already finished out of the 11 bridges destroyed by typhoon "Frank" in the province. Other bridges completed are Daja and Tubang bridges in Maasin and Misi Bridge in Lambunao.

Aside from the long term-benefits that the new bridge will bring to Cabatuan and other municipalities nearby, residents of Brgy. Tabucan also benefited during the construction phase of the new bridge.

Widower Vitaliano Arcos took the opportunity to thank the President for the construction of the bridge. He related how his earnings as watchman during the construction of the bridge helped the income of his family of 16 children.

On the other hand, tricycle driver Norbeto Caballero said that with the completion of the bridge transporting of passengers will now be easier and he expects an increase in his income.

(PIA)

During the Inauguration of Tigum Bridge Barangay Tabucan, Cabatuan, Iloilo

PIA 2010/06/28

Iloilo City (28 June) -- President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo will spend some of the remaining moments of her presidency with the Ilonggos today, June 28, 2010 to inaugurate another vital infrastructure project in the province.

From the Iloilo Airport, President Arroyo will motor to Brgy. Tabucan, Cabatuan for the inauguration of the Tigum Bridge, one of the bridges destroyed by typhoon "Frank" in 2008.

The opening of the bridge will not only make travel easier going to Iloilo City but boost economic growth as well in Cabatuan and nearby municipalities.

Tigum Bridge is located at km. 21+130.20 and serves as the main thoroughfare connecting central towns of Iloilo to Iloilo City. It is also the alternate route going to the provinces of Capiz and Aklan.

The construction of its replacement began on June 18, 2009 under the supervision of the Construction Division of the Department of Public Works and Highways Regional Office 6.

The scope of work is composed of a 6-span bridge using pre-stressed concrete girders on bored pile foundation including approaches.

The project has an appropriation of P170,000 sourced from the calamity fund, based on the project profile from the DPWH.

From Iloilo, President Arroyo will proceed to Bohol and Cebu.

On June 30, President Arroyo is set to turn over the presidency to President-elect Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino.

(PIA)

Tigum: President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is briefed by Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Undersecretary Rafael Yabut on the P160-million Tigum Bridge in Barangay Tabucan, Cabatuan, Iloilo which was inaugurated by the Chief Executive, June 28 during her last visit to Iloilo as President of the country. The infrastructure project replaced the old bridge that was destroyed by typhoon Frank in 2008. (PIA 6)

PIA 2010/06/28, by T. Villavert

Iloilo City (28 June) -- President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's last visit to Iloilo is her expression of saying goodbye to the Ilonggos through the inauguration of Tigum bridge in Cabatuan, Iloilo, according to Cong. Arthur Defensor, Sr.

Defensor said that President Arroyo's term ends June 30 and she is "leaving us with concrete legacies" along with other various infrastructures established in Western Visayas.

He said that the new Tigum bridge was constructed to the tune of P160 million. The new bridge is a replacement of the damaged bridge destroyed by Typhoon Frank last June 2008.

The new Tigum bridge connects central towns of Iloilo to Iloilo City. It also serves as an alternative route going to the provinces of Capiz and Aklan.

The construction of its replacement was started on June 18, 2009. It is composed of six pans using pre-stressed concrete gerders on bored pile foundation including approaches.

Cabatuan is one of the municipalities of Iloilo's Third District under Congressman Arthur Defensor, Sr.

(PIA6)

6/28/2010 - President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is welcomed also at the Iloilo Airport by Iloilo’s Third District Congressman-elect Arthur Defensor Jr., while Congressman-elect Augusto Syjuco of the Second District and Governor-elect Arthur Defensor, Sr. look on. President Arroyo made her last visit as President of the Philippines to inaugurate Tigum Bridge in Cabatuan which was destroyed then by typhoon Frank in 2008. (PIA6/T.Villavert)

PIA 2010/06/28, by T. Villavert

Iloilo City (28 June) -- Presidential Assistant Raul Banias expressed gratitude for the multifarious infrastructure projects and investments in human resource which President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo left as her legacies when her term ends June 30.

This was disclosed by PA Banias in a PIA interview at the Iloilo Airport while waiting for the arrival of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo who will inaugurate the new Tigum Bridge in Cabatuan, Iloilo.

"We thank the President for giving Western Visayas its rightful share in development projects and with that several major infrastructure projects have been established in our region," Banias said.

Among the notable infrastructure projects in Western Visayas were the Airports of International Standard in Iloilo, Bacolod-Silay, and Kalibo, Aklan.

Banias said that even if the combined accomplishments of one or two previous administrations, "it fails in comparison with what President Arroyo gave to Western Visayas".

He also thanked the President for giving him the privilege and the opportunity to serve her.

Meanwhile, when asked his opinion regarding his position from Presidential Assistant then to incoming Provincial Administrator of Iloilo Province, Banias said that he accepted the offer of incoming Governor Arthur Defensor, Sr., and expressed willingness to help Defensor?s administration.

He said that his experiences at the local government, and as Presidential Assistant will be a good input to Defensor?s administration. (PIA6)

Incoming Iloilo Gov to wage determined campaign vs graft and corruption

PIA 2010/06/28, by T. Villavert

Iloilo City (28 June) -- Incoming Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor, Sr. said that upon assumption of office of office, he will immediately wage a determined campaign against graft and corruption.

This was emphasized by Governor-elect Defensor in a PIA interview at the Iloilo Airport while waiting for the arrival of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo who for her last visit to Iloilo has inaugurated the new Tigum Bridge in Cabatuan.

Defensor's political crusade during the last election centered on the crusade for change, reform, dignity and restoration of honor and people's trust to the provincial government of Iloilo.

With a fresh mandate as the new Iloilo governor, Defensor will ask for a financial audit, performance audit and will review the manpower and personnel component of the Iloilo Provincial Government.

Defensor, Sr. likewise expressed concern on the reported rampant use of dynamite fishing in the Fifth District of Iloilo.

"We see the urgency of this concern, and the magnitude of the consequences it will bring to the people and the marine resources, therefore we will immediately act on this concern," Defensor said.

Defensor served as governor of the Iloilo province for three terms from 1992 to 2001. Here he served as Chairman of the Regional Development Council from 1995-1998.

Defensor's political career started when he was first elected Municipal Mayor of Mina, Iloilo in 1970.

He represented the province and city of Iloilo as Assemblyman in the Batasan Pambansa in 1984-1986.

Defensor was the Commissioner of the Presidential Commission on Good Government during the administration of former President Corazon C. Aquino.

He served Iloilo's third district as Congressman for three terms. (PIA6)

PIA 2010/06/28, ni Ailene N. Diaz

Manila (28 June) -- Inaguraran yana nga adlaw ni Presidente Gloria Macapagal Arroyo an bag-o nga gin-upay nga Tigum nga tulay sa Cabanatuan, Iloilo sa iya pagbisita san nasabi nga probinsya yana nga adlaw.

An Presidente an mangunguna san pag-abre san marker ngan ceremonial drive-thru san pormal nga pag-abre san nasabi nga tulay matapos an briefing ni Public Works Secretary Victor Domingo.

An Tigum nga tulay nga nagseserbe nga importante nga nagdudugtong san sentro nga mga bungto san Iloilo ngadto san sulod san syudad ngan nagseserbe liwat nga alternatibo nga rota ngada san probinsya san Capiz ngan Aklan, in nawakay san bagyo nga Frank san ini tumama sa rehiyon san Visayas san tuig 2008.

Otro nga gintindog ngan gin-upay sa kantidad 147.65 milyones ka pesos, an bag-o nga Tagum Bridge in yana nahitindog sin unom nga span sin 170 linear meters nga kahilaba, pre-stressed konkreto nga girders dida san bored pile nga pondasyon nga yaun mga bag-o nga approaches.

Kaupod san Presidente san pag inagurar san proyekto mao si Iloilo Governor Niel Tupas, Sr., Iloilo 3rd Dist. Rep. Arthur Defensor, 1st Dist. Rep. Janette Garin, 2nd Dist. Rep. Judy Syjucom 4th Dist. Rep. Ferj Biron Gary Bibanco ngan DPWH 6 Regional Director Rolando Asis. (PIA-Northern Samar)

PND Sunday, 27 June 2010

CABATUAN, Iloilo (PND) – President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo will inaugurate the newly rehabilitated Tigum Bridge here when she visits the province tomorrow (Monday) morning.

The President will lead marker unveiling and ceremonial drive-thru formally opening the bridge to vehicular traffic after a project briefing by Public Works Secretary Victor Domingo.

The Tigum Bridge, which serves as a vital link connecting the central towns of Iloilo to the city proper and which also serves an alternate route to the provinces of Capiz and Aklan, was destroyed when Typhoon Frank pummeled the Visayas region in 2008.

Rebuilt and rehabilitated at a cost of P147.65-million, the new Tigum Bridge now consists of six spans of 170-linear meters long pre-stressed concrete girders on bored pile foundation with new approaches.

Joining the President for the project inaugural will be Iloilo Governor Niel Tupas, Sr., Iloilo 3rd Dist. Rep. Arthur Defensor, 1st Dist. Rep. Janette Garin, 2nd Dist. Rep. Judy Syjuco, 4th Dist. Rep. Ferj Biron, Cabatuan Mayor Ramon Yee, Tabucan Barangay Chair Nelson Arcos, Banguit Barangay Chair Gary Bibanco, and DPWH 6 Regional Director Rolando Asis.