MINANGA BRIDGE CONNECTS FAR FLUNG IFUGAO BRGYS, ISABELA

March 1, 2025 Provincial

The first phase of the Minanga Bridge in Alfonso Lista, Ifugao is now completed, with the bridge seen to connect far-flung barangays in the province. According to the Department of Public Works and Highways Ifugao Second District Engineering Office, the phase one of the P34 million-worth project started on May 24, 2024 and completed on Feb.
24. The bridge has a total length of 90 meters which will connect Sitio Minanga, Barangay Sta. Maria and Sitio Tallo Purok, Barangay San Marcos, both in Alfonso Lista town.

Phase one included the construction of a permanent bridge, which covers the completion of substructures or bridge support like abutments, piers and protection. It also included two lanes of concrete pavement, with a length of 114 meters at one bridge approach and another 105 meters at the other end. Assistant District Engineer Jose Bumidang said the second phase of the project will include the completion of its superstructure components such as girder, deck slab, and miscellaneous components like curb and gutter, reflectorized pavement markings, and solar led roadway lighting.

The superstructure is the upper portion of the bridge above the beam seats where people drive or walk. “The Phase II of the project will be awarded this February,” Bumidang said. The phase two has a funding of P80 million and will have a total duration of 234 calendar days. Monaliza Fernandez, a resident of Sta. Maria said the bridge is very helpful to the community, especially for the delivery of their agricultural products, during medical emergencies, and transport of students. She said without the bridge; the community crosses the river to get to the other side.

Also, it will provide a shorter travel time going to Isabela via Barangay San Marcos towards the municipality of Aurora, Isabela without having to go around the other barangays of Alfonso Lista. “Talaga nga dakkel daytoy nga tulong nga pagnam-ayan mi nga pagnaan. Dagijay agiruwar iti mais na alisto da nga mairuwar iman nga mailako. Gamin nu panagtutudo, aglikaw da piman tapos ag usar da iti tractor tapno mairuwar da iti mais (This bridge is a big
relief especially those who will transport their corn products.

During rainy season, they would have to go through a longer route and use a tractor due to the rough road to transport their corn products),” Fernandez said. Congressman Solomon R. Chungalao said the bridge is among the ongoing projects initiated by his office to provide connectivity in the various sitios and barangays of Ifugao. Cong. Chungalao said he is eyeing to propose Minanga, Sta. Maria-San Marcos Road to be converted into a national road to
get better funding for its concreting.

There is already an existing road, but it remains as a rough road via Sitio Tallo Purok in San Marcos, which connects to the municipality of Aurora in Isabela. “The bridge project is important in the interconnectivity of not only Ifugao towns, but for easier access to other provinces too,” Chungalao said. The solon has been working on the interconnectivity of the various towns of Ifugao towards other provinces through the various ongoing infrastructure projects, to bring further development in Ifugao.