Magno defends President's visit to Bucana Bridge in Davao City

Mindanao Development Authority Chairman Secretary Leo Tereso Magno clarified on Friday that President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s visit to the P3.1-billion Bucana Bridge project here Thursday was purely an inspection and should not be framed as a political event.

- By IVY TEJANO

Speaking at the Business Insights Forum at NCCC Victoria Plaza, Magno stressed that the President's presence was part of his mandate to oversee major national projects, notably the Bucana Bridge. He added that the event was not an inauguration.

"The event yesterday was never a political event, and people should not address it as such. It was an inspection, not an inauguration. If you listen to what the President said, he praised those responsible for the project. Unfortunately, some people try to politicize it," Magno said.

Magno emphasized the project's significant impact on the city's mobility. Once operational, he said, the Davao River-Bucana Bridge is expected to cut travel time between Matina and Roxas Ave. from 45 minutes to an hour to only 22 to 30 minutes.