Lapu-Lapu plans to build bridge to connect Olango with 2 islets

CEBU, Philippines - A feasibility study has been conducted by the city engineering office for the possible building of a bridge, in a first step towards connecting two small islets with the island of Olango in Lapu-Lapu City.

In an interview with Mayor Paz Radaza, the mayor said the future bridge will link Caohagan and Pangan-an Island to Olango Island.

“The City Engineering Office already initiated the feasibility study for a future bridge project that will link Caohagan and Pangan-an Island to Olango Island. We hope that this project will ensure further economic development and prosperity to our beloved island constituents,” Radaza said.

The city is composed of 30 barangays with 19 located in the mainland Mactan island. There are eight barangays at Olango Island and the three barangays islets of Caubian, Pangan-an, and Caohagan. 

Pangan-an is three nautical miles from Mactan island and is south of the smaller island of Olango. It is an hour and 30 minutes from barangay Maribago in Mactan.

During low tide, a sand bar connecting Pangan-an to Olango appears and walking from one islet to the other becomes possible.

Pangan-an island has a household population of 302 as of the 2000 census while Caohagan, which is frequented by Korean tourists because of its clear water and clean environment, has a population of more or less 300 people. 

With the growing population, Radaza said she has already looked into the feasibility of a mass transport system in order to address the traffic situation.

“We have planned to expand our highways and road networks to prepare the city for the influx of investors and tourists, local and foreign alike that will come here to visit or choose our island paradise as their new home,” the mayor said.

Radaza has already expressed support to the bus railway transit (BRT) project of Cebu City.

The BRT is being proposed for Minglanilla and the cities of Talisay, Cebu, Mandaue, and Lapu-Lapu.

Furthermore, Radaza said the improvement and rehabilitation of the highways and road networks will be done within the next few months.

She said this will allow the speedy transport of goods and services within the city, and will foster the growth of trade and commerce even towards the interiors of the barangays. — THE FREEMAN