New US embassy exec inaugurates Zamboanga bridge

Brian Goldbeck. https://manila.usembassy.gov photo

MANILA, Philippines—A new United States embassy official on Friday inaugurated a new bridge in Zamboanga, a move which he said affirmed the strong ties between the Americans and Filipinos in Mindanao.

In an announcement, the US embassy in Manila said that Brian Goldbeck, new Deputy Chief of Mission, led US officials, Zamboanga City Mayor Celso Lobregat and other local officials in a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the inauguration of the Upper Pasonanca Suspension Footbridge in Sitio Murok, Barangay Pasonanca.

“From now on whenever people cross this bridge, they will think of it as a bridge between our two countries, and between the people of Mindanao and the people of the United States of America,” Goldbeck said in his speech during the inauguration.

The embassy noted that the bridge, completed in August, was one of over 380 US infrastructure projects in the Zamboanga Peninsula. It said that the bridge would serve approximately 6,000 residents of the area, mostly populated by Tausugs, Yakans, and Samalas.

It added that it would also provide a safe pedestrian passage and timely transport of people, products, and services to all corners of the city.

“The US government’s commitment to the future of Mindanao is both longstanding and far-reaching. We hope that the successful completion of this project will inspire others to do what many people of Mindanao have already done — to work for the economic growth and peaceful development of this beautiful and dynamic region,” Goldbeck said.

The embassy said that in his two-day visit to Zamboanga, Goldbeck also met with political and community leaders, students, civil society organizations, and alumni of US government exchange programs, to check on the partnership initiatives and projects between the two countries.

It said his visit included a tour of the Philippine Coconut Authority Zamboanga Research Center, an agricultural facility with 200 species of coconut trees, and the Philippine National Police Forensics Laboratory, which had been receiving support from the US.

Goldbeck held a meeting with members of the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos and other Muslim community leaders to “engage in a dialogue to hear their concerns and exchange views,” the embassy said.

“That meeting also included the screening of a documentary video entitled ‘Resilient Communities’ that examines the experiences, stories and common initiatives adopted by Mindanao residents, local government units and institutions to cope with and overcome natural and man-made calamities,” it said.