Garin urges faster work on Oyungan Bridge project

By Rjay Zuriaga Castor

First District Rep. Janette Garin urged the contractor of the new Oyungan Bridge in Miagao, Iloilo, to speed up construction following repeated incidents of flooding that rendered the temporary bridge impassable.

“Shout out to the contractor of the Oyungan Bridge, it seems that the work is sluggish,” she said.

“I hope we can speed this up since the construction has been here for several years,” she added.

Garin noted that while funding was initially limited, financial support has since been steadily provided.

In February 2024, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) issued a notice to proceed for the PHP 93.5 million replacement of the Oyungan Bridge along the Iloilo–Antique Road to A.D. Pendon Construction & Supply Inc., with a target duration of 250 calendar days.

A subsequent PHP96-million contract for the same bridge replacement project was awarded to Monolithic Construction & Concrete Products, Inc., a Davao-based firm, in March 2025.

Both contracts cover the same bridge, identified by Bridge ID B00135PN.

Garin’s call came after the temporary Oyungan Bailey Bridge partially collapsed due to heavy rains brought by Typhoon Tino, which caused the Oyungan River to overflow.

She said water should ideally pass under the bridge, but blockages from rocks, uprooted trees, and mountain sediments forced the river to spill over the deck.

To keep traffic flowing, the under-construction bridge beside the bailey bridge has been temporarily opened to one-way traffic.

The original Oyungan Bridge was destroyed by Severe Tropical Storm Paeng in October 2022, after erosion around the foundation made it unsafe.

A temporary steel bailey bridge was installed a month later to allow access for light vehicles.

However, the area remains vulnerable to flooding, especially during typhoons like Opong in 2025, which again threatened both structures.

Garin said clearing the area around both bridges must be done regularly to ensure safety during rainy seasons.

She also revealed plans to construct another bridge adjacent to the existing one to form a future four-lane road.