EASY ACCESS. Agriculture products from the province of Davao del Norte can now easily be transported to the south after the PHP211 million Tuganay Bridge southbound portion in Carmen town opened on Thursday (Dec. 7, 2023). The bridge is capable of 60 tons loading capacity from the current 30 tons. (PNA photo by Che Palicte)
CARMEN, Davao del Norte – Agricultural commodities from this province can now easily be transported to the south as the PHP211 million Tuganay Bridge southbound portion opened to motorists on Thursday.
In an interview, Davao del Norte 2nd District Rep. Alan Dujali noted that in the 2024 national expenditure program, another PHP120 million has been earmarked to start the Phase 3 construction works for the northbound portion of the bridge.
In 2021, the first phase of the bridge project was completed with a budget of PHP71 million. The entire project is to be finished in 2025.
The newly opened section is phase two of the project, which completed the bridge's substructure, upgrading its loading capacity from 30 to 60 tons.
Dujali said the bridge would be essential for sustaining the agricultural industry of the province, known as the country's leading producer of bananas.
Davao del Norte, home to some of the largest agricultural plantations in the country, is also a major producer of rice, corn, coconut, abaca, ramie, coffee, fruits, and root crops.
Dujali thanked President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for ensuring the project's multi-year funding.
“This project was not neglected. It’s just that in 2022 there was no fund available for it, and we thanked the President for giving us the funding this year,” he added.
Construction for phase three will begin in January of next year. (PNA)
