Government Breaks Ground on Midsalip Bridge Project
PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur — Just days after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. promised in his State of the Nation Address to build a bridge in Midsalip, the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (Opapru) has begun construction on a concrete bridge. This new infrastructure aims to provide safer access for schoolchildren in the flood-prone Barangay Pisompongan.
During his SONA, the President expressed deep concern for pupils forced to cross a raging river during heavy southwest monsoon rains. He assured the public that the government would allocate funds to build a new bridge, preventing such dangerous crossings in the future.
Funding and Timeline for Bridge Construction
Opapru Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. led the groundbreaking ceremony on August 1, 2025, announcing a budget of P60 million for the bridge project. The funds will be sourced from Opapru’s Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan (Pamana) program and are expected to be released by the end of the month. Galvez also revealed that the project is set for completion within four to six months.
Moreover, an additional P50 million has been allocated for two other bridge projects and road concreting in the area. Local officials have welcomed this move, with the Zamboanga del Sur provincial government initially planning to provide seed funding for the Pisompongan bridge before Opapru confirmed inclusion in the Pamana program.
Local Response and Community Impact
The urgent need for a bridge in Barangay Pisompongan, located about 20 kilometers from Midsalip town proper, gained attention after a video posted by Gideon Goc-ong, principal of Pisompongan Integrated School, went viral. The footage showed children and teachers braving strong river currents during monsoon rains to attend school.
Goc-ong expressed heartfelt gratitude, saying, “That simple video was a cry for help, and today, that cry was finally acknowledged at the highest level.” He described the bridge project as not only an infrastructure win but also a triumph for the children, their parents, and the future of the town.
Broader Benefits for Neighboring Communities
Subanen Indigenous Peoples leader Timuay Armando Gawaling highlighted that residents of nearby villages such as Pili, Balunay, Dacayacan, and Piwan will also benefit from the new bridge. He emphasized that crossing rivers would become much safer, especially during rainy seasons.
This development marks a significant step toward improving daily life and safety for students and residents in flood-prone areas. The collaborative effort between national agencies and local governments exemplifies a commitment to addressing urgent community needs.
For more news and updates on bridge infrastructure and community projects, visit Filipinokami.com.
