DPWH targets completion of P86-billion worth of bridges by 2028

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) plans to complete seven large-scale bridges worth P86 billion before the Marcos administration ends in 2028.

In a forum with European investors, Public Works Undersecretary Maria Catalina Cabral said the DPWH plans to either complete or begin the construction of P525.78 billion in big-ticket bridges set to link cities, municipalities and islands.

Within the Marcos administration, Cabral said the DPWH expects to finish seven priority bridges amounting to P86.17 billion, all of which will be funded by multilateral lenders.

For this year, the DPWH seeks to finish the 3.17- kilometer Panguil Bay Bridge that will trim travel time between Lanao del Norte and Misamis Oriental to seven minutes. The P7.38-billion bridge is financed by a loan from the Korean Economic Development Cooperation Fund.

In 2026, the DPWH hopes to finish three bridges crossing Manggahan Floodway and Pasig River through a P16.03-billion borrowing from China. Another three bridges worth P12.03 billion will be completed above Marikina River to be funded by the Asian Development Bank.

The DPWH will apply for a P7.93-billion loan from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to rehabilitate the Guadalupe Bridge and Lambingan Bridge.

According to Cabral, the new bridges should hasten vehicle traffic around Metro Manila, while the renovation works will ensure the safety of the hundreds of thousands of motorists traversing the Guadalupe Bridge and Lambingan Bridge daily.

On the other hand, the DPWH expects to receive a P6.96-billion grant from China to put up the 2.71-kilometer bridge that will connect Bohol municipalities Dauis and Panglao.

In 2027, the DPWH aims to open the Samal Island-Davao City Connector Bridge, a toll-free road linking Metro Davao with the Island Garden City of Samal. The project, bankrolled by an official development assistance from China, will extend for nearly four kilometers.

The DPWH also sent a proposal to JICA asking for a P12.8-billion loan to raise the second San Juanico Bridge spanning roughly five kilometers. Eyed for completion in 2028, the infrastructure will connect Samar with the northern part of Leyte to boost trade and travel in Eastern Visayas.

Further, Cabral said the DPWH wants to lay the groundwork for the P76.41-billion Cebu-Mactan Bridge slated to be completed by the close of 2028 and the P175.66-billion Bataan-Cavite Bridge set to be finished by the close of 2029.

The DPWH also hopes to hit the ground running for the P187.54-billion Panay-Guimaras-Negros Island Bridges Project, a 32-kilometer linkage that will reduce travel time between Panay Island and Negros Island to one hour.