DAR Secretary Virgilio E. De Los Reyes delivers a message during the inauguration of the Bazal Bridge in Maria Aurora, Aurora Province on 20 January 2011. The bridge is under the DAR-GOJ/JICA “Project for the Bridge Construction for Expanded Agrarian Reform Communities Development”.

It is a grant assistance under the Government of Japan-JICA General Grant Aid Program. The bridge is expected to significantly improve the living conditions of the people within the ARCs and neighboring areas.

Among those who attended the Ribbon-cutting and Ceremonial Pass-through of Bazal Bridge are GOJ/JICA officials led by JICA Chief Representative Mr. Norio Matsuda, First Secretary Takehiko Sakata of the Japanese Embassy, Ambassador Makoto Katsura of Japan; CTI Engineering Co. President Keiji Sasabe, Senator Edgardo J. Angara; LGU officials led by Aurora Governor Bellaflor Angara-Castillo, Aurora Rep. Sonny Angara, Mayor Reynaldo Bitong of Ma. Aurora, and DAR officials led by Secretary de los Reyes, Assistant Secretaries Herminia B. San Juan, Felix Perry A. Villanueva and Director Ma. Celerina G. Afable (20 January 2011, Ma. Aurora, Aurora Province).