The Provincial Capitol is eyeing the rehabilitation of the steel bridge that connects two villages of Cabugao Norte and Cabugao Sur in the town of Pavia after it tilted and became impassable due to soil erosion.

Iloilo Gov. Arthur Defensor, Sr. said the bridge is part of the Tulay ng Pangulo project of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo but it is a barangay road.

"We will try to coordinate with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) on what help they can extend. If they can help, the Provincial Government is also willing to give a share for the rehabilitation of that bridge or a construction of a new one," he said.

Earlier, the DPWH-6 is planning to rehabilitate the 1.3-kilometer river bank of Tigum River including several portions of the Iloilo Flood Control Project (IFCP) in Pavia, Iloilo that were damaged due to rapid soil erosion.

Soil erosion can be seen along the river banks of Barangays Cabugao Norte, Cabugao Sur and Tigum along Tigum River as well as a portion of Mali-ao Creek, a tributary of Aganan River.

Engr. Evelyn Barroso, regional director of DPWH-6 together with Iloilo Gov. Arthur Defensor, Sr., IFCP Vice President Engr. Leonila Chua, Badiangan Mayor Suzette Mamon, head of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP)- Iloilo Chapter and Pavia Mayor Arcadio Gorriceta inspected the affected areas in November last year.

Upon inspection, Barroso said there is a need for concrete repair to mitigate the problem. She added they are willing to fund the project and make a recommendation based on the IFCP's report on damages.

Barroso said she will ask a budget from DPWH Central Office upon presentation of the actual damages.

Meanwhile, Gorriceta blamed the flood control project for the damages. The mayor said every time it rains, he observed that there is soil erosion which has never happened before.*