The Mandaue City Engineering Office, together with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Cebu Sixth District Engineering Office, will conduct a joint inspection of the Mactan-Mandaue Bridge and the Marcelo Fernan Bridge following the 6.9-magnitude earthquake that struck northern Cebu.
This comes after the Mandaue City Council approved a resolution calling for the inspection of the two bridges that connect Mandaue City and Lapu-Lapu City to ensure their structural integrity and safety.
City Councilor Jun Arcilla, chairman of the Committee on Infrastructure, said in an interview that the resolution aims to ensure the safety of motorists and commuters who pass through the bridges.
He said that city engineers and DPWH personnel will check for cracks and assess whether the bridges remain safe for passage.
Arcilla explained that the move comes after the 6.9-magnitude earthquake on September 30, during which both bridges were visibly shaking.
‘It was a strong earthquake, so we want to make sure that our engineering office and DPWH conduct a thorough inspection,’ Arcilla said.
‘Para gyud sa kaluwasan sa tanan nga moagi dinha,’ he added.
Arcilla noted that the two bridges are a major concern for Mandaue City since they serve as vital routes, especially for those traveling to Lapu-Lapu City or to Cordova town.
Although the Cansaga Bridge in Mandaue City was not included in the resolution, Arcilla said he might propose to include it for inspection as well to check for possible cracks.
For now, the two major bridges will be prioritized since they are longer, he said.
Arcilla added that the inspection will cover both sides of the bridges-from the Mandaue and Lapu-Lapu sides.
‘Kay kung muagi ta og Mandaue mulapas man gyud ta og Mactan, both sides atong i-inspection,’ said Arcilla.
Since the resolution has already been approved, Arcilla said the inspection will be carried out as soon as possible.
‘People use these bridges every day, so it’s important to give them peace of mind that they are safe,’ he said.