Mabini Bridge

Mabini Bridge
Tulay ng Mabini
Crosses Pasig River
Locale Manila
Other name(s) Nagtahan Bridge
Characteristics
Design Pontoon bridge
History
Constructed by US Army Corps of Engineers
Construction end 1945

Mabini Bridge, or formerly known as Nagtahan Bridge, was constructed between January to February in 1945. It initially served as a pontoon bridge crossing the Pasig River, connecting the Santa Mesa and Paco. It was used to transport U.S. Army jeeps and evacuate citizens caught in the crossfire during the Liberation of Manila.[1]

History

There were plans for a new bridge to connect the Mendiola route to Malacañang Palace was made even before the emergence of World War II. However, the construction did not push through.[1] The pontoon bridge stood for several decades after the World War II despite the construction materials used to build it. It was made out of inflated rubber rafts placed side by side - spanning until the opposite bank of the Pasig River. Two parallel perforated steel planks, each measuring about 1 metre (3.3 ft) wide and 1.5 metres (4.9 ft) apart were laid upon its surface. It was built by the US Army Corps of Engineers - enough to carry human traffic as well as light vehicles.[2] In August 17, 1960, a barge collided against the wooden piles of the bridge. It caused major damages to the bridge - which caused flooding within the nearby residences.[1]

In 1963, a permanent bridge was constructed - named Nagtahan. It connected Paco with the Pandacan District. However, the Mabini Shrine (the former residence of Apolinario Mabini) was situated on the north bank. The government, then, relocated the house at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines in Santa Mesa. In lieu with the 103rd birth anniversary of Apolinario Mabini on July 22, 1967, President Ferdinand Marcos issued the Proclamation No. 234, s. 1967, renaming Nagtahan Bridge as the Mabini Bridge - in memory of Apolinario Mabini, the Sublime Paralytic.[1]

In 2014, the Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office (PCDSPO) recommended changes, of the existing road signs to read Mabini Bridge, to the Department of Public Works and Highways - as a fitting contribution to the Mabini Sesquicentennial.[1]

Present condition

There were 13 bridges that crosses Pasig River, namely; Bambang Bridge, C-5 Road Bridge, Guadalupe Bridge, Makati-Mandaluyong Bridge, Sevilla Bridge, Lambingan Bridge, Pandacan Bridge, Ayala Bridge, Quezon Bridge, McArthur Bridge, Jones Bridge, Roxas Bridge, and Mabini Bridge. However, only the Mabini Bridge didn't undergo major face-lifting procedures during 1998. Its huge brass profiles on the sides, that illuminates at varying hues, were the distinctive features of the Mabini Bridge.[3]

In 2013, students from various universities in Metro Manila re-touched the murals of Filipino heroes which they painted along the stone foundations of the Nagtahan Bridge along Lacson Avenue in Manila. This project was undertaken by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority wherein it aims to create awareness of the rich Filipino heritage and culture.[4]

Marker from the National Historical Institute

The marker of Mabini Bridge was installed in July 22, 1967 on the occasion of the 103rd Birthday Anniversary of Apolinario Mabini. It was located along Nagtahan Boulevard - connecting Santa Mesa, Manila and Paco, Manila.[5]

Filipino inscription English inscription
ANG TULAY NA ITO, DATING NAGTAHAN, AY PINANGALANANG TULAY MABINI NG PANGULONG FERDINAND E. MARCOS NOONG HULYO 22, 1967 NANG IPAGDIWANG AND IKA-103 KAARAWAN NI APOLINARIO MABINI.[5] THIS BRIDGE, FORMERLY CALLED NAGTAHAN, WAS RENAMED MABINI BRIDGE ON THE OCCASION OF THE 103RD ANNIVERSARY OF APOLINARIO MABINI ON 22 JULY 1967 BY PRESIDENT FERDINAND E. MARCOS.[5]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Legaspi, Mark (21 July 2014). "Briefer: Mabini Bridge and the Mabini Shrine at PUP". Retrieved 24 November 2014.
  2. ↑ Litton, James (2009). Reminiscences of the Battle of Manila: February 3 - March 3, 1945. Battling Bastards of Bataan.
  3. ↑ Ocampo, Ambeth (9 September 2009), "Hidden history of the Pasig River", Philippine Daily Inquirer, retrieved 24 November 2014
  4. ↑ Vicoy, Ali (3 November 2013), "City artworks", Manila Bulletin, retrieved 24 November 2014
  5. 1 2 3 Historical Markers: Metropolitan Manila. National Historical Institute. 1993.

This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the Friday, April 15, 2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.