CAMALANIUGAN, Cagayan — President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. inaugurated the newly constructed Camalaniugan–Aparri Bridge in Camalaniugan, Cagayan, on Thursday, marking a major milestone in improving connectivity and economic activity in the province’s northernmost areas.
Spanning the Cagayan River, the 2.16-kilometer bridge links the eastern and western sides of northern Cagayan and serves as a vital alternative route to the Magapit Suspension Bridge, previously the only river crossing in the area.
President Marcos lauded the swift completion of the P2.3-billion infrastructure project, which began in 2020 and was funded under the General Appropriations Act.
He said the bridge is expected to bring transformative economic benefits to nearby communities.
“I think this will serve as a model for many of the other bridge projects that we will be seeing around the country,” the President said, noting that the government fast-tracked construction to immediately benefit the public.
With a maximum load capacity of 45 tons, the bridge is expected to enhance accessibility, strengthen economic linkages, and ensure the uninterrupted movement of goods and people. Travel time between Aparri and Ballesteros via the Magapit Bridge is projected to drop from about one hour to just 20 minutes, benefiting more than 6,000 travelers daily while significantly reducing transportation costs.
Aparri Mayor Dominador Dayag expressed gratitude to President Marcos for leading the formal opening of the bridge, which he said would greatly improve daily life for residents.
The mayor noted that the new bridge will make it easier for farmers and fisherfolk to transport their products to markets and will spare residents of western Aparri from having to use boats to reach the municipal hall for government services.
“This bridge is not just about convenience,” Dayag said. “It is about better access, better livelihoods, and better opportunities for our people.”
The Camalaniugan–Aparri Bridge is expected to play a key role in accelerating development and economic growth across northern Cagayan.
DPWH PHOTO
