BARMM subsidizes bridge linking Lanao Sur, Bukidnon, CDO

COTABATO CITY – The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) government has allotted additional funds for the construction of a bridge that will help lessen travel time from Marawi City to Cagayan de Oro by less than two hours.

Eduard Guerra, BARMM public works minister, said Friday the Bayug Bridge, which extends to 40 meters in length, is being constructed in Barangay Bagoingud, Upper Tagoloan, Lanao del Sur.

“The bridge is also connected with the Kapai-Tagoloan Road in the border pf Lanao del Sur and Misamis Oriental, respectively, which is also termed ‘Dream Road 2’,” Guerra said.

The first phase of the bridge construction started in 2018 and was funded by the defunct Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) with a PHP25-million budget allocation.

“The BARMM earmarked another PHP25-million for the second phase of the bridge construction under the 2021 appropriations,” Guerra said.

He added that the budget forms part of the PHP3.7-billion fund for infrastructure projects of the province’s 39 municipalities and the city of Marawi.

In a statement, Lanao del Sur Governor Mamintal Alonto Adiong Jr. said the bridge will help ease the travel from Lanao del Sur to Cagayan de Oro City via Talakag, Bukidnon.

“Once the said road is fully constructed, it will take less than two hours for travelers from Marawi City to reach Lumbia, Cagayan de Oro City,” Adiong said.

The Ministry of Public Works (MPW), being the BARMM’s engineering and construction arm, will build various infrastructure projects for 2021 that include roads and bridges, flood control, water supply projects, and other public works facilities amounting to a total of PHP15,053,995,064 across the region.

This year, the MPW will construct 601.22 kilometers of main roads, agricultural roads, and roads to tourism projects and its opt-in areas, and will rehabilitate 42 kilometers of damaged roads, Guerra said. (PNA)