FEATURE: Panguil Bay Bridge, a fruit of decades of hard work, collaboration for Misamisnons

                                       

The last concrete pouring ceremony for the full connection of the Panguil Bay Bridge project took place on July 4, 2024.

PANGUIL BAY BRIDGE – "Now it is no longer a dream but a reality," Governor Henry S. Oaminal proudly remarked, reflecting on the decades of hard work and collaboration across local, regional, and national levels as the Panguil Bay Bridge nears completion.

For decades, the vision of a bridge connecting Misamis Occidental to neighboring provinces seemed far-fetched. While earlier generations of leaders dreamed of this, it remained elusive.

 In 2006-2007, then-Governor Loreto Leo Ocampos took the first steps toward realizing the dream, bringing the idea to President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. Initial feasibility studies were conducted, but no contractors were willing to take on the project under the Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) scheme due to its high financial requirements.

In 2013, then-Congressman Henry S. Oaminal revisited the project and began pushing it forward. His determination to see it come to life resulted in a renewed feasibility study and approval by the NEDA Board.

Despite the challenges, including the need for foreign technology and contractors, the funding was successfully shifted to Official Development Assistance (ODA) from the Korean Export-Import Bank (Korea EximBank).

"During President Arroyo’s time, the bridge was bid out three times but failed due to financial concerns. The projected toll fee of P800 for the first five years was unaffordable compared to the barge fee of P180," explained Oaminal.

Through tireless efforts, the project gained momentum under the leadership of President Bongbong Marcos, as part of his Bagong Pilipinas Program.

Governor Oaminal expressed his deep gratitude for the political will that finally pushed the project to its final stages, remarking, "Our people are happy because their long-held dream is being realized."

Set to open in September 2024, the bridge will link Tangub City in Misamis Occidental to Tubod, Lanao del Norte, reducing travel time from over two hours to just seven minutes. It is expected to stimulate economic growth, enhance transportation, and create new opportunities for tourism and education in the region.

This bridge will bring us closer to our goal of a peaceful, prosperous, and joyful life for all Misamisnons,” Governor Oaminal emphasized.

The Panguil Bay Bridge represents not only a remarkable feat of engineering but also the fulfillment of a dream that has spanned generations. It is set to transform the province’s future, bringing government services closer and uniting communities like never before. (SN/PGMO)

“Ang atong mga katawhan mao’y malipayon kay mahatagan na og katumanan ang dugay nang gipangandoy (Our people are happy because their long-held dream is finally being realized),” Governor Oaminal shared during the interview.

The highly anticipated opening of the Panguil Bay Bridge marks a significant milestone for connectivity and transportation in Northern Mindanao. The bridge is set to open on September 27, 2024. (Project Lupad)