Newly-built Clarin Bridge in Bohol inaugurated, opened to motorists

The newly-built Clarin Bridge in Loay town, Bohol will enhance mobility in the province, particularly in transporting goods and people to the province’s tourist destinations. (Photo courtesy of DPWH)

TAGBILARAN CITY — The newly-built Clarin Bridge in Loay town, Bohol was inaugurated and opened to motorists on Tuesday, June 21.

The bridge replaced the old bridge, which collapsed and killed four persons on April 27, 2022.

Undersecretary Emil K. Sadain, chief implementer of the national government’s Build, Build, Build program, led the inauguration on behalf of President Duterte, who canceled his trip to Bohol.

“The opening of the Clarin Bridge is a timely response to address the need for a safer and sturdier replacement of the decades-old structure,” Maximo Carvajal, undersecretary of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), said during a short program attended by stakeholders and government officials.

Carvajal said the new bridge, which cost P501.87 million, is part of the Bohol Circumferential Road and will serve an essential role in the mobility of goods and people and provide greater access to the tourism sites in the province.

Rep. Alexie Besas-Tutor of Bohol’s third district was among the local officials who joined the inauguration, including outgoing Bohol Gov. Art Yap and reelected Loay Mayor Hilario Ayuban Jr.

(Photo courtesy of DPWH)

Tutor, in her speech, said that bridge was a game-changer in her district. The government’s Build, Build, Build program, she said, dramatically contributes to the inclusive growth in the countryside.

“The old Clarin bridge holds decades of memories as this bridge is the entry point all the way to the 3rd district towns both interior and coastal. With the completion of this bridge, we bring with us the old memories and shall make new memories,” Tutor said.

Named after Olegario B. Clarin Sr, a senator from 1946 to 1949, the old bridge was built in the 1970s and was among the infrastructure affected by the 7.2-magnitude quake that jolted Bohol in 2013.

On April 27, 2022, the old Clarin Bridge collapsed, killing four people and injuring 31 motorists.

The new Clarin Bridge is a two-lane bridge crossing the Loboc river,  the second Nielsen-type bridge in the country designed to be 104 meters long and 6.7 meters wide, including the sidewalk.

It links Barangays Villalimpia and Poblacion Ubos in Loay.

Although challenged by a global pandemic that hampered project progress in general, the DPWH said the completion of the new Clarin Bridge was a timely response to address the urgent need for a safer and sturdier replacement for the decades-old structure, especially those affected by recent calamities.

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