The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is on track to complete the P7.3 billion bridge that will connect Tangub City, Misamis Occidental, and Tubod, Lanao del Norte within the first six months next year.
DPWH senior undersecretary Emil K. Sadain said the 3.17-kilometer Panguil Bay Bridge project is already more than 73 percent complete.
“With the project target to achieve 86 percent toward the end of this year and full completion by first half of year 2024, over 400 manpower are deployed on-site working round the clock 24/7,” Sadain said.
Costing P7.37 billion, the bridge is made of pre-stressed concrete girders and an approach road funded by a loan agreement between government of the Philippines (GOP) and the Export-Import Bank of Korea (Korea Eximbank).
DPWH said the Panguil Bay Bridge will boost transport capacity and efficiency and contribute to the socio-economic development of Mindanao.
Project completion means a seven-minute inter-island connectivity with Tubod, Lanao del Norte and Tangub, Misamis Occidental as opposed to the long-winded connectivity between Ozamiz City/Tangub City and Tubod through roll-on, roll-off vessels which takes about 2 to 2.5 hours at present, including loading and unloading time.
Started in February 2020, the project is a joint contractor undertaking composed of Namkwang Engineering & Construction Corp. together with Gumgwang Construction Co., Ltd and Kukdong Engineering & Construction Co., Ltd.
The engineering consultants include Yooshin Engineering Corporation, Kyong-Ho Engineering & Architects Co., Ltd, and Pyunghwa Engineering Consultants Ltd.
