Bridge project key factor in Albay polls

By Rhaydz B Barcia/Manila TimesThe likely outcome of a political tussle of two scions from patriarchs of the oldest political dynasties in Albay’s first congressional district will rest on the performance and vital projects implemented by their parents according to political observers.The “Tulay ng Pangulo” project of former president and now Pampanga representative, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, is seen to bolster the candidacy of Liberal Party (LP) standard bearer lawyer Grecon ‘Grex’ Lagman against Ricky Ziga of the United Nationalist Alliance here. The Pangulo project connects Cagraray Island through Sula Chanel to the Albay mainland.The Zigas’ political career started in the late ‘40s under the LP during the incumbency of senator Tecla San Andres-Ziga, Ricky’s grandmother. It was former senator Tecla San Andres-Ziga who originally initiated the establishment of Sula Bridge during her reign in early 1950s to connect the island of Cagraray in Bacacay town to the Albay mainland to boost the economic and tourism potential of the so-called Bicol’s jewel. Construction of the multi-million Sula bridge in Cagraray Island proposed by the senator was strongly supported by the Bicol bloc. But the San Andres-Ziga project did not materialise until the incumbency of his son, former senator Victor Ziga.When representative Edcel Lagman took over the reins in early 1980s he also pushed for the construction of Sula Bridge to connect the Cagraray Island to Albay mainland. Construction of P150mn Sula Delta Bridge dubbed as ‘Tulay ng Pangulo sa Kaunlaran Project’ finally materialised because of Lagman’s loyalty then to former president Arroyo.Lagman poured at least P67mn from his Countrywide Development Fund to complete the construction of the president’s bridge programme.The two-lane bridge is a modular steel panel with steel decking. Cagraray Island in Bacacay Albay was declared as ecotourism destination that boasts of towering limestone cliffs and 28 caves.