Koronadal seeks na'l gov't support for bridge repair

KORONADAL CITY -Mayor Fernando Miguel has asked the national government to help the city restore the damaged bridges due to floods. Miguel said the city government could not afford to repair and rehabilitate the two bridges of Concepcion and Namnama which were totally damaged by the rampaging waters. But other partially damaged bridges and roads destroyed could be repaired by the local government units using local funds. The immediate repair of Concepcion bridge is vital in economic activities of the province along with the town of Lutayan in Sultan Kudarat, he said. The collapsed bridge connects the city to Lutayan where fresh water fish supplies emanate. Another bridge, he said, needs immediate report because it has been serving as alternate route in going to Gen. Santos City if the main highway is impassable during heavy rain. Concepcion bridge is now passable but the remedy was temporary while the Namnama bridge was totally cut, affecting flow of commuters and commerce. Gov. Fuentes said the provincial engineering office could facilitate the repair of Concepcion bridge but it cannot do repair works for Namnama bridge. Like Miguel, Fuentes is also asking the national Department of Pubic Works and Highways to provide budget for the construction of new bridge in Barangay Namnama. Meanwhile, pupils in public schools who could not cross the river in the absence of a bridge have been accommodated in nearby elementary schools, according to Leoanrdo Balala, Koronadal City schools division chief. The subjects of elementary pupils in the host school and the previous schools are similar so there's no problem with the curriculum, he said. Students from Barangay Gen. Paulino Santos who could not cross toward Namnama Elementary School are now studying at Paulino Santos Elementary School.