CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (MindaNews/25 January) — Vandals have defaced the newest bridge in the city prompting authorities here to move its inauguration from Feb. 6 to Feb. 8.
Department of Public Works and Highways Region 10 spokesperson Sandra Flores said they have to repaint the entire bridge after vandals believed to be youngsters defaced every girder with graffiti.
She said it would not look good not to repaint the bridge when Spanish Ambassador Carlos Salinas and DPWH Secretary Rogelio Singson arrive on Feb.8 for its opening.
“The Spanish ambassador might think that we are not taking care of the bridge which is a donation from their government,” Flores said.
She said the vandals were able to deface the bridge when it opened for a five-day trial last Jan. 15 to 19.
“It is sad that youngsters do not appreciate this newest addition to our city,” she lamented.
The Spanish government donated all the steel girders used in the new bridge that connected Barangay Carmen to the Divisoria portion in Cagayan de Oro.
The city has four other bridges.
Flores said the Philippine Government allotted P191 million to finish the construction of the new bridge.
Aside from repainting the bridge, Flores said they will use the spare period to install solar-powered lights on the structure.
She also said they will transfer an obelisk which pedestrians complained impeded their passage during the trial. (Froilan Gallardo/MindaNews)
