Friday, December 6, 2024

The Bumpy Road Ahead: Unveiling the Asphalt Woes of Panguil Bay Bridge




COURTESY: https://www.pna.gov.ph

Welcome to the not-so-smooth journey of the Panguil Bay Bridge! Grab a cup of coffee, sit back, and join me as we dive into the saga of a bridge that, quite literally, hit a bump in the road.



So, picture this: September 27, a day marked on calendars with excitement and joy as the much-anticipated Panguil Bay Bridge finally opened its lanes to the public. Stretching an impressive 3.77 kilometers, this bridge was set to be a game-changer, linking the provinces of Misamis Occidental and Lanao del Norte. But, alas, a mere two months later, the dream seemed to hit a snag—or rather, a crack. 

By late November, shocking photos and videos of asphalt damage began circulating faster than a viral TikTok dance. And just like that, the bridge that promised to connect provinces was now plastered across social media as a symbol of poor construction. Misamis Occidental Governor Henry Oaminal Sr. was quick to respond, calling on the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to investigate the fiasco.



Now, here’s where it gets interesting. According to a technical team from the province, the contractors seemingly decided to skip a crucial step in the construction process. The SS-1 tack coat, a binding agent meant to hold the layers of asphalt together, was mysteriously missing. It’s like building a sandwich without the mayo – sure, it holds, but for how long?

Governor Oaminal didn’t hold back. He urged DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan to hold the joint venture firm accountable for these oversights. After all, skipping on something as essential as a tack coat isn’t just cutting corners; it’s like building a house without a foundation. 



One might wonder, could the damage have been caused by heavy vehicles trundling over the bridge? Well, not quite. The Misamis Occidental side of the bridge in Tangub City has a weighbridge that operates 24/7, ensuring no vehicle over 30 tons makes it across. As Governor Oaminal pointed out, a vehicle exceeding this weight would not only damage the bridge but also wreak havoc on the national highway. 

To prevent further damage, DPWH-Lanao del Norte District Engineer Ali Khan Ali stated that their side would also have a portable weighbridge operating around the clock. So, it’s safe to say that weight isn’t the issue here. Instead, it’s all about what lies beneath—or rather, what doesn’t.



The bridge may be cracked, but Governor Oaminal’s resolve is not. He’s called for a thorough investigation into the contractors and demanded accountability for these irregularities. After all, a PHP7.3 billion investment deserves more than just a surface-level fix. 

As repairs get underway, the spotlight is on DPWH to ensure that future projects adhere strictly to specifications. The bridge may have opened with fanfare, but it’s the quiet diligence of following technical plans that will keep it standing strong.



As the saying goes, every cloud has a silver lining. The Panguil Bay Bridge fiasco has served as a wake-up call, reminding stakeholders of the importance of diligence and transparency in public works. While the bridge may have hit a rough patch, this incident paves the way for stricter oversight and better quality control in the future.

In the end, it’s not just about connecting provinces; it’s about ensuring that those connections are safe, reliable, and built to last. Here’s hoping that the lessons learned from this bumpy road lead to smoother journeys ahead.

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