LANAO DEL NORTE (PIA) – The opening on Sept. 27 of the 3.2-kilometer Panguil Bay Bridge has stirred up expectations of a bright future among framers, fisherfolk, communities, and local businesses in Mindanao as the structure finally connects the provinces of Lanao del Norte and Misamis Occidental.
“More than just a physical bridge, we are connecting the dreams and aspirations of the people of Lanao del Norte and Misamis Occidental. For far too long, our brothers and sisters here have had to deal with over two-hour commutes across the bay. Now, those two hours can be spent on work or on simply living their lives. With this bridge, what once took two hours will now take seven minutes,” said the president.
Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said in his speech during the bridge’s opening ceremony. Business owners, farmers, and transport operators expect the bridge will improve their livelihoods through fast and easy movement of goods and services between the two provinces.
Jennifer Gonzales, a fruit vendor from Baroy, Lanao del Norte, expressed excitement about the benefits the bridge could bring to her business. “Nalipay pud mi’g dako nga nahimuan na gyud og bridge kay naa pud mi’y lugar sa Bonifacio nga amoa pud. Kung mag-barge, dugay kaayo mga duha ka oras. Pero og diri na paingon sa Bonifacio, naa ra na sa mga tunga sa oras,” she said.
(We are very happy that a bridge is finally done. We also have a piece of land in Bonifacio [town in Misamis Occ.]. If we take the barge, it’ll take us about two hours, but with the bridge, going there will only take about half an hour.)
Tricycle driver Austiqui Payot, from Tubod, Lanao del Norte, is also optimistic about the increased business that the bridge will bring. “Para sa amoa nga tricycle driver, dako kaayo og matabang sa amoa kay madagdagan man ang pasahero ang gikan sa MisOcc muanhi diri ug kami pud dali ra pud makatabok didto sa MisOcc. Ang minimum rate namo P15 pag mag-open dinha daghan naman kaayo manabok dinhi, daghan nang musulod, daghan na pud mi’g mapasayro,” he said.
(The bridge will greatly benefit us tricycle drivers, as it will attract more passengers from Misamis Occidental, and crossing over to MisOcc. will be fast and easy. Our minimum fare is P15, but with the opening of the bridge, many people will be crossing here, more will be coming in, and we’ll have a lot more passengers.)
President Marcos highlighted the bridge’s economic potential for local businesses, calling it a key infrastructure project under his administration. He acknowledged the decades-long effort to complete the bridge, noting that it faced challenges—funding issues and pandemic-related delays. However, he emphasized the bridge’s impact on economic growth, particularly for small and medium enterprises.
“Panguil Bay Bridge is indeed the foundation on which we can build more bridges—bridges that connect not just places but connect opportunities and communities. Let us make this success a launch pad for further development to ensure that this project opens new doors to progress and prosperity,” he added.
The bridge opening event was attended by local officials, including Lanao del Norte Gov. Imelda Dimaporo and Misamis Occidental Gov. Henry Oaminal. Oaminal considered the structure the realization of a long-awaited dream, while Dimaporo emphasized the economic growth it would bring to the region.
“This project is a shining example of how the Bagong Pilipinas campaign can transform lives and communities. For me, the bridge is not just about infrastructure projects; it is about creating a principled, accountable, and dependable government that works for the people,” Dimaporo said.
The Panguil Bay Bridge, funded in partnership with the Korean Export-Import Bank, is expected to accommodate up to 10,000 travelers daily, enhancing mobility for goods and people and serving as a vital link in Mindanao’s economic development.
“Let us make this success a launchpad for further development to ensure that this project opens new doors to progress and prosperity,” Marcos said. (RTP/PIA-10)
