The P7.4-billion Panguil Bay bridge project that will connect Tangub City in Misamis Occidental to Tubod City in Lanao del Norte is on track to be completed by December of 2023, according to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
In a statement, Emil Sadain, DPWH senior undersecretary, said the agency’s Unified Project Management Office-Roads Management Cluster 2 and the project contractor are exerting efforts to accelerate the vast pipeline of superstructure construction activities for the Panguil Bay bridge which is 61 percent complete to date.
DPWH said the construction by about 336 manpower takes place around the clock.
Construction was affected during the last quarter of 2022 due to the rains and the strong currents in Panguil Bay.
The project, financed by a loan agreement between the Philippine government and Korean Export Import Bank, highlights how the design and construction of a modern bridge with sea offshore excavation depth of more than 50 meters has evolved, Sadain said.
Sadain, who has overall supervision for all flagship projects being implemented by the DPWH under the Build Better More Program, led the construction site inspection on December 7 at the Panguil Bay bridge project.
Following the completion of all the 54 bored piling works, construction began for the 36 abutment and pier column and 32 coping on both ends at Tubod and Tangub City for the incremental launching method for the superstructure.
Bridging the geographical gap between Tubod and Tangub City/Ozamis City area, Panguil Bay bridge will reduce travel time between Lanao Del Norte and Misamis Occidental from two hours to just seven minutes.
Started on February 2020, the design and build of Panguil Bay bridge has been pushed back due to work restrictions at the height of the pandemic and supply chain issues, with the additional design time and delay in the arrival and release of equipment from abroad.
Meanwhile, DPWH said it continuously improves and expands the capacities of road networks by building inter-island bridges to meet the increasing demands of the Philippine economy.
Manuel Bonoan, DPWH secretary, said the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is not only ensuring continuity of major infrastructure projects started by the previous administration, but also aims to fast-track their completion to get the country back on the road to economic recovery from the pandemic.
