DPWH urged to finish long-delayed bridge project in South Cotabato

The unfinished concrete bridge along the Poblacion–Barangay Laconon Road in Tboli, South Cotabato remains incomplete despite its scheduled completion in April 2024. Photo from DPWH-12.

KORONADAL CITY — Villagers have lambasted the long-unfinished bridge in Tboli, South Cotabato, urging the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to complete the much-delayed project, which they said has become a source of danger and inconvenience for motorists and commuters.

Residents of Barangays New Dumanggas and Laconon in Tboli complained that floodwaters overflow onto the road during heavy rains because the bridge remains unfinished, making travel difficult and risky for those passing through the area.

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One affected resident, Pyckz Cordada, said they are often stranded when the road near the unfinished bridge becomes flooded.

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“When heavy rains come, vehicles and people cannot pass right away because the water overflows onto the road. We are often stranded and have difficulty traveling,” she said in Ilonggo.

Calls for the bridge’s completion intensified after an incident on July 3 in which Jelly Mar Kunog, 33, a field worker and resident of Purok Digan, Barangay Datal Dlanag, Tboli, died after being struck by a falling rock in the area.

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According to the investigation by the Tboli Municipal Police Station, Kunog was riding his motorcycle less than 100 meters from the unfinished bridge when a rock fell and struck him. He sustained severe head and body injuries.

Residents said the incident highlighted the need to speed up the completion of the bridge project to prevent further accidents and ensure safer travel.

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Based on the project signboard, the project is called “Construction of Concrete Bridge – Poblacion Tboli to Brgy. Laconon Leading to Bakngeb River Cave Road in Barangay Laconon, Tboli, South Cotabato.”

Construction started on June 6, 2023, and was originally scheduled for completion on April 10, 2024. However, the bridge remains unfinished two years after its target completion.

The DPWH-12 said a request for project funding has already been submitted and that the agency is awaiting the release of the budget before construction can resume and be completed.

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Residents said they hope construction of the bridge will resume and be completed soon, especially as they continue to face flooding during the rainy season and fear for the safety of those traveling through the area. /mcm