The Philippines’ Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has announced the completion of a domestic hanging steel bridge in Sitio Sinuhot, Cagayan De Oro City.  

The 4.89m pesos ($83,442) project was aimed at resolving the logistical challenges faced by the area's farmers and residents, including expensive and hazardous travel. 

Civil works comprised the construction of a 34m steel bridge, antislip steel checkered plate flooring, as well as an access road. 

It also included 6m sheet piles, 12mm vertical and 32mm backstay cables, and 25mm main cables, with hand-laid rock on both sides. 

DPWH Region 10 director Zenaida Tan said: “Both pedestrians and motorcycles can use the bridge, making transport cost way cheaper compared to the hefty amount of 50 pesos per sack which the farmers used to pay haulers for carrying their farm produce across the river.” 

The project, carried out by the DPWH Cagayan De Oro 2nd District Engineering Office, provides the local indigenous tribe with easier and safer access to livelihood, education, and health facilities. 

The DPWH has also transformed an old gravel road into a concrete cement pavement in Sitio 2, Barangay Mulawin, Naujan.

The 425.8m road concreting project, which cost 4.94m pesos, was funded by the 2024 General Appropriations Act.

This initiative is said to have reduced travel time for residents to neighbouring barangays, enhancing access to businesses and essential services. 

DPWH Regional Office IV-B director Gerald Pacanan said: “The construction of this Portland cement concrete pavement road with shoulder on both sides in Sitio 2 in Barangay Mulawin not only cuts travel time but also provides an efficient access route that significantly reduces the risks of road accidents from the existing gravel road traversed by locals and visitors.” 

This comes after the DPWH announced the completion of a domestic flood control structure in Ramon Magsaysay, Zamboanga del Sur, last month.