ORMOC CITY, Philippines – Travelers coming from all northern municipalities of Leyte are expected to benefit from the steel bridge to be constructed at the boundary of Isabel and Palompon towns in the 4th District of the province.

This link is vital to commerce and trade, considering that the area is the Industrial Estate of Region 8 – Isabel being host to several industries like Philphos and PASAR.

District Engineer Lino Francisco C. Gonzalez of Leyte 4th District Engineering Office (L4DEO) said that the replacement of the old Raquiza Bridge in the area is imperative, as the bridge becomes easily submerged in flood water with just a few hours of rain – rendering the road section un-passable.

He said the replacement bridge from the President’s Bridge Program under the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is elevated some 2.5 meters from the existing bridge.

Gonzalez said construction of this steel bridge will commence very soon as the district office had already implemented the preparatory requirements, and even completed construction of the detour bridge and passageway while construction of the two-lane steel bridge is underway.

It was learned that Leyte 4th District Rep. Lucy Torres-Gomez and concerned officials of the President’s Bridge Program Office have recently signed the Memorandum of Agreement (MoA), which rendered the paperwork in acquiring the bridge effective, as the concerned local government units and DPWH Leyte 4th District Engineering Office have already signed the MoA.

Meanwhile, Gonzalez also said that the Leyte 4th DEO, with the support of Torres-Gomez, is 18.63 percent ahead of its target in the implementation of all 2011 funded projects.

These comprise of four Regular Infrastructure Projects and one Preventive Maintenance project totaling R112 million in all.

In another development, the local government of Borongan is gearing up towards the annual National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation Week from July 17 to 23, 2011.

In a statement made by Borongan City Mayor Ma. Fe Abunda, she said the city aims to achieve the theme for this year which is “Making the rights real for Filipinos with disabilities.”

The city in its programs wishes to revisit the various laws that will make the lives of persons with disabilities more convenient.

“We wish to fully implement the laws designed for persons with disabilities for them to enjoy the rights and privileges granted by the government,” Abunda said.

The city committee on disability affairs is set to spearhead the different activities that will invite the public to take a look at the plight of persons with disabilities. (With a report from PIA)