| Work Detail |
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has addressed concerns regarding damaged asphalt pavement of the Panguil Bay Bridge in Northern Mindanao.
DPWH assured that the asphalt layer that serves to enhance the bridge’s long-term durability is being rectified to high standards and that the box girders and main structural components of the bridge remain unaffected.
In her report to Secretary Manuel M. Bonoan and Senior Undersecretary Emil K. Sadain, DPWH Unified Project Management Office - Roads Management Cluster 2 (UPMO-RMC 2) Project Director Teresita V. Bauzon said that the defects are confined to the asphalt pavement on some section and do not affect the structural integrity of the 3.17-kilometer long bridge. She added that the contractor, Namkwang-Kukdong-Gumgwang joint venture (NKG JV), has been directed to replace the damaged asphalt pavement at no additional cost, as the completion certificate for the project has not yet been issued.
According to an in-depth assessment of DPWH and the project consultant, Yooshin-Pyunghwa-Kyongho JV, the defects were caused by overloading trucks exceeding the 30-ton design capacity of the bridge.
Following the Panguil Bay Bridge’s opening on September 27, 2024, some surface damage appeared on the asphalt pavement due to overloaded vehicles crossing the bridge before controls were enforced.
Torrential rains then worsened the damage, as rainwater lead to widespread pavement deformation and the expansion of potholes in affected areas.
To prevent further damage, portable weighing scales were installed at both ends of the bridge in Tangub City managed by Misamis Occidental 2nd District Engineering Office and Tubod under Lanao del Norte 1st District Engineering Office. However, 24/7 monitoring has been limited due to funding constraints to sustain the payment of wages of assigned personnel at night.
Senior Undersecretary Sadain emphasized that strict enforcement of the anti-overloading policy under Republic Act 8794 is crucial to prevent damage to the bridge’s pavement surface. By restricting overloaded vehicles from entering the bridge, the policy encourages compliance among truck and trailer operators to adhere to the prescribed gross vehicle weight and axle load limit of 13.5 tons, helping to prevent early deterioration of roads and bridges caused by overloading.
The DPWH UPMO - RMC 2 is coordinating with the DPWH Regional Office 10 to fully operationalize weighing facilities day and night at both ends in Tangub City, Misamis Occidental and Tubod, Lanao Del Norte.
Meanwhile, the contractor has started the emergency repair works on the Tangub City to Tubod direction on December 1, 2024, and this side is expected to be passable by 7:00 AM on December 2, 2024. The swift action addresses public concerns raised on social media regarding issues such as potholes, depressions, rutting, and shoving.
In the meantime, the Tubod to Tangub City direction has been temporarily opened to two-way traffic, with round-the-clock repairs being conducted to minimize disruptions. Once the Tangub City to Tubod emergency repairs are completed, repairs on the Tubod to Tangub direction will commence at 7:00 AM on December 2, 2024, and are targeted for completion by 7:00 AM on December 3, 2024.
All motorists are advised to keep moving at steady pace and not to stop on the bridge to keep traffic flowing smoothly and safely.
To ensure long-term quality, the DPWH has directed the contractor to prepare and submit a comprehensive repair plan. This plan includes a revised asphalt mix design and waterproofing measures to support the full end-to-end full upgrading of the asphalt pavement.
Panguil Bay Bridge, connecting Tangub City, Misamis Occidental, and Tubod, Lanao del Norte, is a vital infrastructure project expected to boost regional connectivity and economic growth.
DPWH remains dedicated to addressing any concerns to deliver a safe and durable structure for the public. |
