There was no attempt to divert the P19 million worth bridge materials dumped at the city port since September 2003.

PRESIDENT'S BRIDGE PROGRAM. Construction continues on the Riverside Bridge in Songculan, Dauis town which is one among 402 selected barangays nationwide which will have permanent, maintenance-free double-lane steel bridges that can carry a maximum load capacity of 40 tons. Shown above are the steel panels hauled from the city port to be used in the construction, while PBP Barangay Projects Director Cabel Nurhasan, operations engineer Samuel Bayot and administrative officer Atty, Al Lakibul inspect the embankment concreting on site. Foto DANNY REYES

This was the categorical statement issued by Cabal Nurhasan, director of the Presidential Bridge Program (PBP) who flew in to explain to the public on why these materials were abandoned for almost three years.

Engr. Nurhasan arrived yesterday, barely six days after the Chronicle published the report on the questioned abandoned millions worth of steel materials.

It may be noted that these materials were delivered at the city port few months before the 2004 presidential elections.

Director Nurhasan came with Engr. Samuel Bayot, operations engineer and administrative officer Atty. Al Lakibul who are here to supervise the construction of the Riverside Bridge in barangay Songculan, Dauis town.

The Chronicle learned that the arrival of the three PBP officials came after Rep. Edgar Chatto wrote PBP executive director Emil Sadain inqiring about the delayed construction of the Riverside Bridge and the status of the bridge materials "abandoned" at the city port.

Chatto had previously endorsed said project to Pres. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo who then approved of its construction.

The bridge materials had instigated a controversy and speculations on the nature of its delivery here since nobody from the Provincial Engineer's Office PEO) or the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) had any knowledge where those materials would be used.

Provincial Engineer Rosalinda Yu however said that the materials were really intended for Negros Oriental and that only part of it were utilized for bridge projects here in the province of Bohol.

The city council had even passed a resolution last week calling for an all-out investigation into the circumstances surrounding its delivery here.

In an interview with the Chronicle, Engr. Bayot said that the materials were part of Pres. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's "12 bridges project" here in the province which started in 2001.

Atty. Lakibul explained the materials were "not discarded," and the bridge in Riverside Songculan was due for re-construction this month where those materials are intended.

He clarified that the PBP is directly under the Office of the President and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) only have oversight functions on their projects. Hence, the provincial and district engineers are not fully informed of project details.

Lakibul also said that biddings for project materials and labor, including the equipment used, are being handled by the PBP itself. "There is not even a counterpart from the local government units (LGUs)," he said.

The DPWH's participation in their undertakings is limited to the clearing of the area, security of their equipment and materials, Lakibul added.

Reacting to speculations being raised on why the materials were left to rot at the city port since 2003, the executives explained that the Presidential Bridge Program should instead be credited for the 12 bridges that they have completed in the different towns of Bohol since starting its projects here in 2001.

They said that the Riverside Bridge was delayed since they were still waiting for its allocation from the Office of the President and due to some problems with the materials supplier.

Director Nurhasan said he had already talked to the supplier yesterday and they expect to complete the 40-meter bridge by the first week of July.

Engr. Bayot also explained to the Chronicle that not all ports in the country have the capacity to store materials for their projects. He admitted that some of those stored the city port were intended for Negros Oriental. "Whatever excess materials left after our projects here will be transferred to Negros, as well," he said.

"We don't usually bring the exact number of the bridge components because a shortage would mean we would have to spend more for transporting and the movement of materials'" Atty. Lakibul said.
According to the project engineers construction in Riverside will be finished by July next month.

The towns of Bilar, Trinidad, Alicia, Inabanga, Duero, Loon, Danao, Mabini and Dauis are among the project beneficiaries under the President's Bridge Program.