53 Structures Under 1st Mandaue-Mactan Bridge Set For Demolition

A total of 53 structures housing some 300 families under the first Mandaue-Mactan bridge which is undergoing a PHP129-million rehabilitation are set to be demolished, but financial assistance must be given to the informal settlers.

Tony Pet Juanico, head of Mandaue City Housing and UrbanDevelopment Office (Hudo), said the structures will be affected by the U-turn slot that will constructed under the Mandaue side of the bridge.

Juanico said the settlers under the bridge are at risk of being hit by falling debris during the rehabilitation of the bridge.

He said the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Jegma Construction and Hudo had met to talk about the plans for the bridge, including the assistance for the families.

Juanico said the Mandaue City Government appealed to DPWH to provide financial assistance to the families, considering that the bridge rehabilitation project is under their office.

Juanico said the city and the DPWH had agreed on the assistance for the families during their meeting.

Juanico said he preferred not to disclose more details, saying he is still waiting for the response of the DPWH 7’s legal officer.

“We should settle first the assistance for the families because it may cause delay in the contractor’s time line,” he said.

The bridge rehabilitation began last February 8 and is scheduled to be completed in August.

Renault Ricardo, assistant district engineer of DPWH 6thEngineering District Office, said the DPWH cannot provide assistance to the families because it doesn’t have a budget for it. (PNA) LAP/EB/EDS