Calbayog City (July 14) -- "We are excited over the President's visit because this is an opportunity for us to thank her for fulfilling the promise she made when she was campaigning in 2004 to finish the Sto. Nino Bridge component of the Gandara-Matuguinao Road Project."

Thus, said Sto. Nino Barangay Chairman Rodito Uy candidly said, speaking about the scheduled visit of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo on July 15, to inaugurate the Sto. Nino Bridge.

There is a very good reason for the people of Sto. Nino and the people of the municipalities of Gandara and Matuguinao to be jubilant and excited over the coming of President Gloria, Chairman Uy disclosed.

"We have waited for many long years for the bridge that will connect the two municipalities to be completed," Chairman Uy said. The project used to be a provincial project but because of meager funds, its progress was too slow.

Visiting Matuguinao while campaigning for the 2004 elections, the President promised the people of Samar to help complete the project.

President Arroyo, by fulfilling her campaign promise brought back the trust of the people in government, Chairman Uy said.. She also kept the flame of hope to continue burning in the hearts of our people, he added.

Chairman Uy empathically said that the project has a very great impact on the people. It connected the town of Gandara composed of 69 barangays to the town of Matuguinao, with 20 barangays.

The Project will benefit the farmers, the students and business entrepreneurs, Chairman Uy said. The municipality of Gandara has about 34,000 population while Matuguinao has 5,361.

It used to take the people of Sto. Nino two hours by boat to reach the town of Matuguinao. Today, it will take them only 40 minutes.

With the completion of the Bridge, the farmers will have easier access to market their products in Gandara, in Calbayog or in Catbalogan, Chairman Uy added.

The 72.195 meters Bridge will not only spur economic activities in the area, but will also increase literacy and more importantly improve the peace and order situation in the area, Chairman Uy said further.

The Sto. Nino Bridge was implemented by the Regional Project Monitoring Office of the Department of Public Works and Highways within the Samar 1st District Office, Calbayog City's area of jurisdiction.