DAVAO CITY – Two major bridge projects in Mindanao will be opened to motorists this year, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said on Monday, July 22, during his third State-of-the Nation-Address.
PRESIDENT Marcos (PPA)
Marcos said that his administration is set to complete the 3.17-kilometer Panguil Bay Bridge and 1.21-kilometer Guicam Bridge in Zamboanga Sibugay.
He said that the Panguil Bay Bridge, touted as the longest water-spanning bridge in Northern Mindanao, will connect Lanao del Norte to Misamis Occidental.
Marcos added that Guicam Bridge will connect Olutanga Island in Zamboanga Sibugay to the mainland of Mindanao.
According to the Department of Public Works and Highways, these bridge projects will boost economic growth in Mindanao, sustain peace and security on the island, and harness the socio-economic opportunities and growth of communities.
Once opened, the DPWH said travel time between Tangub City, Misamis Occidental and Tubod, Lanao del Norte will be reduced to only seven minutes via the Panguil Bay Bridge from the current travel time ranging from one and 30 minutes to two hours and 30 minutes via Roll-On, Roll Off (RoRo) or land travel with over a distance of 100 kilometers.
It said that the Guicam Bridge would serve as "transport and economic connector” for Olutanga, Talusan, and Mabuhay towns on Olutanga Island and mainland municipality of Alicia and other towns of Zamboanga Sibugay.
The President said that his administration has built and upgraded at least 12,000 kilometers in roads and 1,200 bridges as of May.