Last month the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) announced that the new basket handle Clarin Bridge in Bohol will be opened to the public. Last Tuesday, June 21, that came true.
In a report to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Acting Secretary Roger Mercado and Undersecretary Emil Sadain (Build Build Build Program Chief Implementer) said that the new Clarin Bridge across Loboc River spanning 104 meters has been fully opened for both traffic direction to the motoring public.
Undersecretary Sadain together with Consul General of Japan in Cebu Hideki Yamaji, JICA Senior Representative Kenji Kuronuma, Bohol Governor Arthur C. Yap, Bohol 3rd District Representative Kristine Alexie Besas-Tutor, and Loay Mayor Hilario L. Ayuban led the ceremonial unveiling of marker of the new bridge. It was constructed as part of the JICA-assisted Road Upgrading/Improvement Component of the Road Upgrading and Preservation Project (RUPP).
Costing PHP 501.87-million, Clarin Bridge is part of the Bohol Circumferential Road and will serve an important role in the mobility of goods and people and provide greater access to the tourist sites of Bohol Province.
Economic development in the area will surely surge from improved transport of goods and services and more local and foreign tourists visiting the wonders of Bohol.
The bridge has an approach road at Abutment “A” of 209 meters and at Abutment “B” of 217 meters with the enhancement of landscape and protection work to be done near the bank of Loboc River, one of Bohol’s major tourist destinations.
Sadain said the new bridge is another thread of friendship linking the Philippines and Japan's steady and long-term development of meaningful bilateral cooperation. “For over decades, the time-tested cooperation of the Philippines and Japan has brought so much development in the country. On behalf of Secretary Mercado, allow me to extend my heartfelt gratitude to the representatives of the Government of Japan led by the Consul – General Yamaji and JICA Philippines Senior Representative Kenji Kuronuma for letting your presence grace this ceremonial groundbreaking,” said Sadain.
Although challenged by a global pandemic that hampered project progress in general, the completion of the new Clarin Bridge is a timely response to address the urgent need for a safer and sturdier replacement for decades-old structures, especially those affected by recent calamities.
