The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Iloilo City District Engineering Office (ICDEO), under the leadership of District Engineer Rodney A. Gustilo and Assistant District Engineer Marilou G. Zamora has opened to traffic the remaining two lanes of the Buntatala Bridge in the district of Jaro last May 30, 2014.
The inauguration was graced by Iloilo City Lone Congressional District Representative Jerry P. Treñas, Iloilo City Mayor Jed Patrick E. Mabilog, Iloilo City Vice Mayor Jose Espinosa III, and barangay captains of Jaro district.
Buntatala Bridge, which measures 25-lineal meters long, was then a two-lane bridge along Iloilo-Capiz Road (New Route) connecting Iloilo City to the provinces of Capiz and Aklan, as well as most towns in northern Iloilo. Hence, in order to complement the widening of Iloilo-Capiz Road from two to four lanes, Buntatala Bridge also underwent widening from two lanes to four lanes.
The construction of Buntatala Bridge with the total allotment of P53.0 Million was implemented in two phases. The first phase (construction of the initial two lanes) was completed in 2012 and has been open since. The second phase (construction of the remaining two lanes) was implemented in the last quarter of 2013 and completed in May 2014, as scheduled.
During the inauguration of the said bridge, Iloilo City Lone Congressional Representative Jerry P. Treñas lauded DPWH, for its coordination with other stakeholders in the implementation of the widening of Buntatala Bridge, which according to him “will help regulate traffic as well as provide ease of access to and from the city.”
This happened because of the cooperation of all leaders here in the city, Treñas said.
Meantime, Engineer Gustilo said that bridges in the barangays of Bito-on and the Buhang , also in Jaro district will be widened this year. Also, Rizal Bridge and San Lorenzo Bridge, both in Lapaz district and funded under FY 2014 DPWH Regular Infra Program, are currently undergoing rehabilitation.