The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) convened stakeholders of the Bataan-Cavite Interlink Bridge Project.
The first meeting of the interagency committee provided local leaders of Bataan and Cavite and other stakeholders the opportunity to express their concerns as the detailed engineering design (DED) works for the project is now at 34 percent based on February 2022 progress report.
Chaired by DPWH Undersecretary for Unified Project Management Office Operations Emil Sadain, the interagency committee was created in 2021 under Department Order No. 91 to ensure efficient project implementation and provide guidance and resolve issues/constraints that may arise during the DED activities.
“The meeting seeks to pool issues and concerns of all stakeholders wanting to share with DPWH and the consultants team to anticipate some possible challenges as we go with the DED that will be completed by early 2023,” Sadain said.
In a statement, DPWH Secretary Roger Mercado expressed confidence that this project will be continued by the next administration.
“The project is hugely transformative for the Philippines, transformative for Bataan and Cavite because it will improve connectivity and open up economic opportunities for these provinces,” he said.
“It will not only have economic impact but will also build strong family ties as more time can be spent with their loved ones and enable more people to see the beauty of Bataan and experience the history of our country while enjoying beautiful scenery of clear water,” the official furthered.
For his part, Bataan Governor Albert Garcia said the project will not only connect Bataan to Cavite but also connect Region 3 to Region 4A and therefore connect to the National Capital Region, three of the fastest growing regions in the Philippines.
Moreover, Bataan 2nd district representative Jose Enrique Garcia III said this connectivity project has been a long-time dream of the people of Bataan that is inching closer to its implementation very soon. (PIA 3)
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