TAGUM CITY: President Rodrigo Duterte led the inauguration Thursday, May 18 of the newly widened Governor Miranda Bridge II which is expected to boost agriculture, commerce and tourism in the area.

In his speech during the inauguration, the President said the thrust of his administration is to pour more funds into infrastructure development to boost economic growth.

“I’ll be spending something like after five years, 3 trillion. So kada taon ibomba ko sa infrastructure,” he said.

If money is not spent on infrastructure development, the economy will not move forward, he said, noting spending boosts the economy and it benefits workers, producers and businesses.

Also, the target of his government is to continue the good policies of any administration, he said.

The President said he expects the structure of the newly widened bridge to last 50 to 70 years before a replacement is constructed.

At the same time, he urged the people to preserve the environment in the region for the future generation of Filipinos.

The 650-lineal meter bridge crosses the Tagum River and serves as an alternate bridge to the Old Governor Miranda Steel Bridge which becomes impassable during rainy season.

The widened bridge was built at higher elevation protecting motorists from the dangers of flooding and traffic jams during the monsoon season.

Authorities said the P757.01 million bridge can readily accommodate the large cargo trucks ferrying agricultural products like banana and coconuts.

The widened bridge structure also easily accommodates large buses, utility and private vehicles as more people now travel to Davao del Norte, Compostela Valley and Davao Oriental.

According to the Department of Public Works and Highways, the decades-old steel bridge will eventually be removed.

The widening of the Governor Miranda Bridge II was completed in April this year. ###PND