AMID the scandal over anomalous flood control projects, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has allowed the participation of local government units (LGUs) in the implementation of foreign-assisted infrastructure projects.

DPWH Senior Undersecretary Emil Sadain, who is in charge of foreign-assisted projects, said on Sunday that a strengthened collaboration with LGUs will ensure long-term integrity of the concerned projects.

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In his report to DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon, Sadain said the agency will start out with the LGUs of Tangub City, Misamis Occidental, and Tubod, Lanao del Norte, to ensure the long-term sustainability of the Panguil Bay Bridge (PBB) in Northern Mindanao.

Sadain said he inspected the recently completed upgrading of the asphalt pavement of the 3.17-kilometer bridge over the weekend with Tangub Mayor Sabiniano Canama and Tubod Mayor Dionisio Cabahug Jr.

He said the success of the institutionalized Multi-Partite Monitoring Team, an infrastructure monitoring and advisory body formed during the bridge’s construction, played a key role in ensuring continued engagement and oversight from LGUs and other stakeholders.

Inaugurated by the President in September 2024, Panguil Bay Bridge has significantly improved regional connectivity and the quality of life for local communities in Northern Mindanao.

Funded through the Korea Export-Import Bank Economic Development Cooperation Fund under Loan Agreement PHL-18, the bridge was constructed under the supervision of the Unified Project Management Office-Roads Management Cluster II.

The project was implemented by the joint venture of Namkwang Engineering & Construction Corp., Kukdong Engineering & Construction Co., Ltd., and Gumgwang Construction Co., Ltd.

The consulting consortium included Yooshin Engineering Corp., Pyunghwa Engineering Consultants Ltd., and Kyong-Ho Engineering & Architects Co., Ltd.

DPWH opens foreign-assisted projects to LGUs

The bridge has a 320-meter main span supported by two pylons, each with six cable stays, as well as two observatory bays for maintenance.

On the Tangub side, a 360-meter approach road connects to a 1,020-meter bridge section; on the Tubod side, a 569-meter approach road leads to a 900-meter bridge section.

Sadain said the concerned LGUs are committed to help safeguard the bridge by assigning surveillance patrol units to monitor the structure.

The DPWH also announced the successful connection of the north and south ends for the southbound tunnel of the Davao City Bypass Construction Project, despite operational challenges.

The 2.3-kilometer tunnel, a centerpiece of Contract Package 1-1, forms part of the 45.5-kilometer Davao City Bypass and is the first long-distance mountain road tunnel in the Philippines.

Sadain said the tunnel proves the national government’s commitment to the Build Better More program.

Contract Package 1-1, awarded to the Shimizu–Ulticon–Takenaka Joint Venture, includes the construction of 10.7 kilometers of four-lane highway, the 2.3-kilometer tunnel, three river-crossing bridges, two underpasses, and six access roads.

The project is over 61 percent complete and is slated for completion this month.

It is funded through a combination of JICA Loan Agreements PH-P261 and PH-P273, and counterpart funding from the government.