Long-delayed Udalo Bridge in Occidental Mindoro opens to light vehicles

CALAPAN CITY, ORIENTAL MINDORO, Philippines — After more than three years of delays, the Udalo Bridge in Abra de Ilog, Occidental Mindoro was opened to light vehicles on Thursday, June 25, providing long-awaited relief to residents who had risked crossing the river daily while the bridge remained unfinished.

Earlier, Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vivencio “Vince” Dizon, who inspected the bridge with Abra de Ilog Mayor Meg Constantino on June 24, apologized to the people of Mindoro for the prolonged inconvenience caused by delays in the project.

The bridge, now 94 percent complete, is scheduled to be opened to all types of vehicles on July 15, while the DPWH continues concreting the remaining road component of the Abra de Ilog–Puerto Galera Road, which is targeted for completion by the second quarter of 2027.

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Dizon said the government recognizes the hardships endured by residents after the bridge project stalled for more than three years due to funding constraints.

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The DPWH chief also assured the public that the entire Abra de Ilog–Puerto Galera Road, a vital segment of the Mindoro Circumferential Road, would be completed by mid-2027.

The 115-meter, two-lane Udalo Bridge serves as the final link among eight bridges along the Abra de Ilog–Puerto Galera Road. Once fully operational, it is expected to improve road safety and significantly shorten travel time between Occidental Mindoro and Oriental Mindoro.

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According to the Philippine Information Agency (PIA)-Oriental Mindoro, the bridge and its connecting road are expected to benefit at least 3,000 motorists daily.

The agency said the project could reduce travel time between Abra de Ilog and Puerto Galera by as much as 80 percent—from around 10 hours using the existing 454-kilometer route to only one to two hours once the remaining 20-kilometer road section is completed.

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Officials said the improved connectivity would facilitate the movement of people, goods, and services across Mindoro Island while boosting trade, tourism, agriculture, and access to essential government services.

Dizon said completing ongoing infrastructure projects remains a priority under the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

Marcos had earlier directed government agencies to prioritize the completion of long-delayed and neglected infrastructure projects before launching new ones.

In February this year, Dizon personally inspected the bridge and ordered contractors to complete the structure by June.

With the opening of the bridge to light vehicles, officials said a major bottleneck along the Mindoro Circumferential Road has been removed, bringing the island closer to having a continuous highway linking its eastern and western provinces.

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The Mindoro Circumferential Road is one of the government’s flagship infrastructure projects aimed at strengthening inter-provincial connectivity and supporting economic growth in the Mimaropa region. /cb