July 31, 1999
The 3,720-hectare forest in the town of Taft in Eastern Samar province was declared a protected area to be known as Taft Forest Wildlife (Philippine eagle) Sanctuary by virtue of Proclamation No. 155 signed by then President Joseph Estrada.
The Philippine eagle was spotted several times in Taft, with the first sighting in 1997. It replaced the maya as the national bird of the Philippines in 1995 under Proclamation No. 615 signed by then President Fidel Ramos.
Aug. 2, 2009
The construction of Agas-Agas bridge in the town of Sogod, Southern Leyte province, was completed.
Agas-Agas, which stands at 84 meters, is dubbed the country’s tallest bridge.
The 350-meter-long structure was built to improve the delivery of goods and services and promote ecotourism.
Among the unique features of Agas-Agas bridge are a view deck and a rest area.
The bridge, which cost P1.24 billion, was funded through a loan from the Japan International Cooperation Agency.
It was inaugurated on Aug. 9, 2009, by then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
Rehabilitation projects were completed in 2016 after heavy rains eroded the protective covers of the two piers or columns of the bridge.
Compiled by Kathleen de Villa, Inquirer Research
Sources: Inquirer Archives, DOT, denr.gov.ph, officialgazette.gov.ph, dpwh.gov.ph, bsp.gov.ph