IFUGAO SOLON FAST-TRACK DULAO-MAGUITAWA BRIDGE CONSTRUCTION

February 15, 2025 JUST IN

PHOTO CAPTION: CRUCIAL BRIDGE— Ifugao Rep. Solomon R. Chungalao recently visited the site of the Dulao-Maguitawa Bridge which is ongoing construction at Sitio Maguitawa, Nattum, Mayoyao and Barangay Dulao, Lagawe which is seen to bolster interconnectivity within the Ifugao towns. The crucial bridge shall also connect Eastern Mountain Province and Isabela via Dulao, Lagawe and is seen to bolster the economy of the province.

(Photos by the Office of the Cong. Solomon R. Chungalao/Drone photos by Torogi Vlog)

With the Dulao-Maguitawa Bridge located at Sitio Maguitawa,Nattum, Mayoyao and Barangay Dulao, Lagawe seen to bolster interconnectivity within the Ifugao towns, Congressman Solomon R. Chungalao recently visited the construction site to see its development. The P155 million-worth bridge would connect District I (Hungduan, Tinoc, Asipulo, Kiangan, Lamut, Hingyon, and Lagawe) and District II (Banaue, Mayoyao, Aguinaldo, and Alfonso Lista) of Ifugao. It would also connect Eastern Mountain Province and Isabela via Dulao, Lagawe.

“We intend to finish the bridge so that it would act as a bypass going to Isabela that would connect Aguinaldo and Alfonso Lista to Mayoyao and towards Lamut,” Chungalao said. Assistant District Engineer Jose Bumidang, Jr. of the Second District Engineering Office of the Department of Public Works and Highways said the bridge is now 42.7 percent completed in its phase one. The bridge construction, with a budget of P110,905,087.60 for phase one, has been delayed due to challenges in the logistics of the construction materials.

Bumidang said the workers needed to transport steel, aggregates, and other materials while going through the rough roads of Poblacion East-Sanafe-Hapid-Tupaya-Dulao in Lagawe-Maguitawa-Halag-Namnama Road. Bumidang said the phase two of the project is worth P45 million to be implemented this year. The bridge would have a total length of 141.5 meters with sidewalks and is being implemented by Katha Builders and Supplies, Inc./DJY Construction. Chungalao said the crucial bridge would aid in the transport and production of corn and other agricultural products in Mayoyao and nearby Alfonso Lista and Aguinaldo towns.

He said it would also boost the tourism industry in the area especially at barangays Alimit and Nattum in Mayoyao and Barangay Itab in Aguinaldo where the scenic rolling hills are located. “The Nattum area (Itab and Alimit) is the center of Ifugao where the bridge will open,” he said. Once completed, it would connect the Poblacion East-Sanafe-Hapid in Lamut-Tupaya-Dulao in Lagawe-Maguitawa (Mayoyao)-Halag (Aguinaldo)-Namnama (Alfonso Lista) Road passing through Lamut, Eastern Lagawe, Southern Mayoyao, Southern Aguinaldo and Central Alfonso Lista.

During last year’s groundbreaking of the bridge, Nattum Barangay Captain Joseph Poy-ao said they are looking forward for its completion, as it will connect them to the central town of Lagawe. “We will already be able to use vehicles to transport our agricultural products and other materials. When the water level rises during the wet season, we use boats to ferry our goods to and fro our barangay to cross towards Lagawe,” Poy-ao said. Part of Mayoyao town is a tributary to the Magat River, where Poy-ao said residents plant corn during the dry season and conduct fishing during the wet season, when water levels are high.

Congressman Chungalao said along with the bridge construction, the concreting of the road from Barangay Halag, Aguinaldo to Barangay Nattum in Mayoyao is also being proposed for funding from various agencies, as an additional road connection from the towns of Aguinaldo and Alfonso Lista going to Lagawe and nearby provinces.*

(Office of the Congressman Solomon R. Chungalao)