COTABATO CITY – The Department of Public Works and Highways in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (DPWH-ARMM) is set to rehabilitate a historic bridge that will ease the movement of people and goods in eleven towns in Lanao del Sur.
The 90-meter bridge located in Barangay Piangolugan in Marogong town was constructed in 1889 by the Spaniards, earning it the moniker ‘’Spanish Bridge”’. It was intended to aid in their conquest against Maranao strongholds in the area.
Apart from its historical value, the more than century-old bridge also holds great economic importance in the area.
Engr. Abib A. Arumpac, chief of Lanao del Sur’s 2nd district engineering office, said the bridge will serve eleven towns in the province that include the towns of Marogong, Malabang, Calanogas, Balabagan, Kapatagan, Picong, Butig, Lumbayanague, Sultan Dumalondong, Lumbaca-Unayan, Binidayan and Bayang.
He said the DPWH-ARMM has earmarked P100-million from its P10-billion infrastructure program fund for 2016 to support the bridge’s rehabilitation and the construction of a new reroute bridge in the area.
Arumpac said the Spanish Bridge can only handle a limited load capacity due to its structural limitations and a reroute bridge has to be built to cater to large vehicles.
Engr. Don Mustapha Loong, secretary of DPWH-ARMM, said the project will provide people better road access and will boost the promotion of trade and tourism in the area.
He said once the project is completed, “people in Lanao, commuters from Parang, Maguindanao to Marawi City, Iligan City and vice-versa would have a safer and faster land travel.” The economic activities and mobility of goods and services in the province will also be improved. (Bureau of Public Information)
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