The newly completed PHP516-million bridge between Lanao del Sur and Bukidnon provinces is seen to boost the economic prospects of Northern Mindanao and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, officials said.

Lanao del Sur provincial government announced Friday the completion of the Cadayona Bridge situated between Tagoloan II, Lanao del Sur, and Talakag, Bukidnon.

The bridge is a joint project between the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao’s (BARMM) and the Lanao del Sur’s First District Engineering Office of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

In a statement, Lanao del Sur Governor Mamintal Alonto-Adiong Jr. said the bridge will lessen the travel time between the province and this city to less than two hours, and “will help boost economic activity between Region 10 and BARMM.”

PhilHealth official Sainuddin M. Moti shared that prior to the completion of the bridge, his team had to cross the river before reaching the Tagoloan II Rural Health Unit, recalling the travel as a “bumpy adventure ride.”

Meanwhile, the PHP20-million Bayug Bridge is nearing completion in Barangay Bagoingud, Upper Tagoloan II in Lanao del Sur.

The Bayug link will also cut the travel time between Marawi City and this city from around 3.5 hours to less than two hours.

The first phase of the bridge construction started in 2018 and was funded by the defunct Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao with an allocation of PHP25 million.

The Bayug Bridge is connected with the Kapai-Tagoloan Road, also called the “Dream Road 2”.

BARMM has allotted PHP25 million for the second phase of the bridge construction under the 2021 appropriations. The budget forms part of the PHP3.7 billion fund for infrastructure projects of the province’s 39 municipalities and Marawi City. (PNA)