The 3.17-kilometer Panguil Bay Bridge Project (PBBP) of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) was officially opened Friday, September 27, 2024, promising to enhance connectivity and drive economic progress in Mindanao.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. with First Lady Maria Louise “Liza” Araneta-Marcos joined by Secretary Manuel M. Bonoan, Korean Ambassador to the Philippines Lee Sang-Hwa, and DPWH Senior Undersecretary Emil K. Sadain led the inauguration of the milestone project, now recognized as the longest sea-crossing bridge in Mindanao.
Also present at the inauguration ceremony of PBBP poised to bring transformative growth and development in the Mindanao Region are Office of the Presidential Advisor on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU) Secretary Carlito G. Galvez Jr., Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilbert Teodoro, Korea Export-Import Bank (KEXIM Bank) Director General Cho In-Kyo, Lanao del Norte Governor Imelda Q. Dimaporo, Misamis Occidental Governor Henry S. Oaminal, and other government officials.
Implemented by DPWH Unified Project Management Office - Roads Management Cluster II (Multilateral) under direct supervision of Senior Undersecretary Sadain together with former Project Director Sharif Madsmo H. Hasim and now by Project Director Teresita V. Bauzon, the P8.026-billion project was carried out through a loan agreement funding signed in 2016 between the Government of the Philippines and Korean Export-Import Bank - Economic Development Cooperation Fund (KEDCF) under Loan Agreement No. PHL-18.
The project began with a pre-feasibility study in 1998 followed with several feasibility assessments and comprehensive business case study to ultimately secure National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Board approval in May 2015, reinforcing commitment to this transformative infrastructure initiative to connect Lanao del Norte and Misamis Occidental in Northern Mindanao.
The following years involved careful planning, multiple approvals, and adjustments until it reached the procurement phase in 2018, with bids evaluated and contracts signed in November 2019.
The landmark infrastructure which crosses Panguil Bay and directly connects Misamis Occidental via Tangub City and Lanao del Norte via Tubod town, was meticulously designed using extensive geotechnical surveys.
Actual work on the design and build of Panguil Bay Bridge started on February 28, 2020, but soon faced delays from the pandemic and budget constraints. However, with the administration's commitment to “Build Better More” and faster infrastructure development program and with resolved and determination, the construction was pushed through without let up.
The project used advanced Korean bridge technology. This included reverse circulation drilling on barges to create boreholes and launching of thick permanent steel casings using revolving crane barges and vibro pile hammers. Additionally, two (2) land and sea-based batching plants supplied ready-mixed concrete for the project.
The bridge features 54 board piles for 32 piers, ensuring a solid foundation capable of supporting the mega structure that carry 2-lane, 2-way traffic with carriageway width of 13 meters.
The project includes a 360-meter approach road leading to a 1,020-meter approach bridge on the Tangub City side, alongside a 569-meter approach road connecting to a 900-meter approach bridge on the Tubod side. Both approaches were built using pre-stressed concrete box girders through an incremental launching method.
Its world-class design features an extra-dosed main bridge, with 320-meter central span, supported by two (2) pylons standing 20 meters tall, anchored by six (6) cable stays, and complemented by a lighting system, providing structural support and enhancing bridge aesthetics and safety for nighttime travel.
The completion of Panguil Bay Bridge marks the dawn of a new era in Philippine infrastructure development. It is a gamechanger, significantly reducing travel time between Misamis Occidental and Lanao del Norte to just seven (7) minutes from 2 to 2 and a half hours via Roll-On, Roll Off (RoRo) vessels from Ozamiz to Mucas in Lanao Del Norte or circuitous routes via Tangub-Molave-Tubod or Tangub-Kapatagan-Tubod with over a distance of 100 kilometers.
