Mayor Renato Gustilo is proposing that the 90-year-old Talave bridge be disassembled and relocated to the Park Marina in San Carlos City, Negros Occidental, if the Department of Public Works and Highways insists on the construction of a new bridge in its place, Joe Recalex Alingasa Jr. said on Wednesday, July 26.
The Talave Bridge built in 1933 by the United States Steel Products Company connects San Carlos City and Calatrava.
Alingasa, who represents the San Carlos City Heritage Conservation and Historical Society, said his group and the San Carlos City Heritage Culture and the Arts Council headed by Dr. Archilles Ponferrada, support the recommendation of the mayor to preserve the 90-year-old American era bridge by repurposing it but maintaining its aesthetics and historical value.
The 90 year-old heritage bridge is being proposed to connect the existing boulevard and the seaside park near the Liga Ng Mga Barangay Hall at the Park Marina, he said.
The Park Marina is situated next to the People’s Park where the restored old steam locomotive of the defunct San Carlos Milling Company and the office the San Carlos Heritage Culture and the Arts Council are located, Alingasa said.
The council was created at the start of Gustilo’s term as mayor in 2019 as he is also an advocate for heritage and cultural preservation, Alingasa added.
“The mayor wants to repurpose the bridge and preserve it as a fitting tribute and reminder to our past by rehabilitating and relocating it this time as one of our tourist attractions,” he added.
Heritage advocate Andoni Llantada Valencia earlier called for the preservation of the bridge for its historical significance.
Valencia said his personal stand is to preserve the bridge in its original location.
“I don’t see the point of destroying the bridge when there’s a new bridge already being used and utilized. Why destroy the 90-year-old bridge?” he asked.*