Longest Bridge in Philippines to Build under Duterte's Government

Duterte Sponsors

The Philippines and South Korea inked a $100.13 million deal for the construction of Panguil Bay Bridge that would connect Misamis Occidental and Lanao del Norte.

The Philippine government on Thursday, April 28 met with the Export-Import Bank of Korea-Economic Development Cooperation Fund (KEXIM-EDCF) to close the deal.

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This marks the first bridge infrastructure project of KEXIM-EDCF, aimed at increasing growth in Mindanao with reliable and efficient transport infrastructure connecting the northern and western areas.

National Treasurer Roberto Tan and KEXIM-EDCF chief representative Yongkeun Oh signed the loan agreement, kicking into motion the infrastructure deal.

The 4.19-kilometer (km) bridge across Panguil Bay, connecting the city of Tangub in Misamis Occidental and the municipality of Tubod in Lanao del Norte, will be the longest Philippine over-the-sea bridge surpassing the San Juanico’s 2.2-kilometer length.

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) will serve as the implementing agency of the project, which is scheduled to be completed in 2018.

“We appreciate the robust partnership we share with the Republic of Korea – this project is the latest evidence we have of friends from abroad placing their faith on our people,” Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima said in a statement.

“The Panguil Bay Bridge Project not only connects two points in Mindanao; it connects us to an optimistic future for Mindanao’s growth and prosperity,” he added.

“Increased connectivity and mobility in Mindanao ought to spur more inclusive economic activity, ensuring we get an exponential amount of return for the investment the Governments of the Republics of Korea and the Philippines put in with this loan agreement,” Tan added.

In the same event at the Bureau of the Treasury, Foreign Affairs Secretary Jose Rene Almendras signed the Individual Arrangement, while Korean Ambassador Jae-shin Kim signed on behalf of the South Korean government.

Although the project was initiated during the Aquino administration, the construction will begin and finish during the new president, Mayor Rodrigo Duterte of Davao City./Ramil Llorente/