The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has been honored with the prestigious Grand Prize at the Korean Institute of Bridge and Structural Engineering’s (KIBSE) 2024 Excellent Structure Awards for the Panguil Bay Bridge Project.
DPWH Senior Undersecretary Emil K. Sadain, who also serves as the National President of the Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers (PICE), accepted an award on October 16, 2024, as he led a delegation from both DPWH and PICE at the 50th anniversary and national convention of the Korean Society of Civil Engineers (KSCE) held in Jeju Island, South Korea.
The delegation included Undersecretary Eric A. Ayapana; Assistant Secretaries Nerie D. Bueno and Rey Peter B. Guille; Project Directors Benjamin A. Bautista, Ramon A. Arriola III, Rodrigo I. Delos Reyes, Teresita V. Bauzon, Soledad R. Florencio, Sharif Madsmo H. Hasim, Virgilio C. Castillo; and Stakeholders Relations Service Director Randy R. Del Rosario.
Joining them from PICE were Treasurer Albert A. Perfecto; Auditor Michael J. David; and Directors Florencio F. Padernal, Mark Dale Diamond P. Perral, Juanito D. Cunanan, Arlene J. Adlawan, and Robinson A. Salenga II, along with Past Presidents Willy T. Go, Peter Paul Dy, and Benito M. Pacheco.
A key achievement mentioned during the event was the completion of the 3.7-kilometer Panguil Bay Bridge, inaugurated by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and DPWH Secretary Manuel M. Bonoan on September 27, 2024.
This bridge, now the longest sea-crossing bridge in Mindanao, connects Tangub City in Misamis Occidental and Tubod in Lanao del Norte.
The project, funded through Korean official developmentt assistance, exemplifies advanced engineering and construction techniques, symbolizing the nation’s progress under the “Build Better More” program.
The KIBSE award honors the Panguil Bay Bridge’s innovative design, structural integrity, and its significant impact on transportation and regional development in Mindanao.
This project underscores DPWH’s commitment to delivering world-class infrastructure to the Filipino people.
The bridge’s advanced engineering techniques and construction methods, achieved through close collaboration with South Korean partners, highlight the technological advancements that the DPWH has adopted.
The KIBSE award is a proud moment for the DPWH and a testament to the skill and dedication of the engineers under the Unified Project Management Office (UPMO) Operations headed by Senior Undersecretary Sadain.
Senior Undersetary Sadain said that the bridge not only symbolizes the progress of infrastructure development but also the strong partnership between the Philippines and South Korea in advancing civil engineering.
The participation of DPWH and PICE in the 2024 KSCE Convention is part of the broader effort to position the Philippines as a leader in infrastructure development in Southeast Asia.
PICE is entering a new era of collaboration, innovation, and sustainable development, embodied in its theme: “Building Global Partnerships, Bridging Boundaries, and Fostering New Technologies Towards a More Resilient and Sustainable Development.”
Under the leadership of Senior Undersecretary Sadain, and with strong partnerships forged with KSCE and the Japan Society of Civil Engineers (JSCE) and the success of the 2024 Midyear Convention and International Engineering Expo, PICE is preparing for its biggest event yet—the 50th National Convention and 2nd International Expo from October 29-31, 2024, at the SMX Convention Center, Pasay City.
Proceeds from these conventions will help fund the construction of the long-awaited PICE National Building, a future symbol of unity and inspiration for Filipino civil engineers. The concept design is complete, and procurement is now underway.
