By Katrina Gracia Consebido
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) said the construction of the 3.17-kilometer Panguil Bay Bridge project which would link Tangub, Misamis Occidental and Tubod, Lanao del Norte is ongoing.
The DPWH said the department and the project contractors are expediting construction activities for the project which is 61% complete to date. The bridge project worth P7.374 billion is financed through a loan agreement between the Philippine government and Korean Export Import Bank.
The construction of Panguil Bay Bridge will reduce travel time between Lanao Del Norte and Misamis Occidental from two hours to just seven minutes.
The Panguil Bay Bridge Project has a main bridge (extra-dosed type) with a length of 320 meters, 1,920 meters approach bridge made of prestressed concrete girder, and approach road.
The construction was officially started in February 2020, but was halted during the last quarter of 2022 due to rain and strong currents of Panguil Bay, and restriction of work during the height of COVID-19 pandemic. It is expected to be completed by December 2023.
DPWH Secretary Manuel M. Bonoan said the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. plans to fast-track significant infrastructure projects.
The DPWH has been continuously improving and expanding the capacities of the road network through building of inter-island bridges. -ag
