VIGAN CITY, Mar. 14 (PIA) --  Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Secretary Bernie F. Cruz led the formal turn-over of the P6.8 million Silag Bridge in Santa Maria, Ilocos Sur in his two-day visit in the province.

This project is under the Tulay ng Pangulo para sa Kaunlarang Pang-agraryo (TPKP) program of DAR in partnership with the Local Government Unit of Sta. Maria and implemented by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

During the ceremony held on March 7, Undersecretary for Foreign Assisted and Special Projects Office (FASPO) Virginia N. Orogo; Assistant Secretary for Support Services Office Lawyer Milagros Isabel Cristobal; Officer-in-Charge Undersecretary for Finance, Management and Administration Office (FAMO) Lawyer Lucius Jun Jun G. Malsi; DAR Ilocos Regional Director  Primo C. Lara; DAR Region XI Director Joseph H. Orilla; and Municipal Mayor Brigido C. Camarillo, Jr., joined the DAR Chief in the Turn-Over Ceremony of the Silag Bridge, along with representatives from the DPWH and Major Bethuel N. Barber, the Executive Officer of the 71st Infantry Battalion of the 7th Infantry Division of Philippine Army.

“Pinapakiusap lang po natin na sana alagaan natin itong tulay at hindi natin pabayaan nang sa ganon ay matagal nating mapakinabangan. Mula po sa France itong materials, gaya ng metal na ginamit sa sikat Eiffel Tower. We hope that the you (farmers) take care of this bridge and cherish it so that you can use it for a long time. The materials used are from France, the metals are the same as those used for the famous Eiffel Tower,” Cruz said. 

Some of the 1,365 residents and the 287 individuals from different farmers institutions who are beneficiaries of the said project were present during the turnover ceremony.

The Silag Bridge will also benefit residents of the Municipality of Pilar in the Province of Abra, who according to Salvador A. Cadorna, chairperson of the Menganay Cabaroan Tinaan Rang-Ay (MECATI) Farmer’s Arc Cooperation, often transport their products in Santa Maria.

The TPKP project that has a length of 34.20 Linear Meters of double lane steel bridge and 27 meters approaches without sidewalk was constructed within five months and 15 days. (JCR/JPD/ATV, PIA Ilocos Sur)