Philippines: Mega bridge, new landmark nears completion in northern Luzon

Manila: The much-anticipated Camalaniugan-Aparri Bridge, poised to become the longest cable-stayed bridge in Northern Luzon, is nearing its grand debut. 

Spanning approximately 1.58 km across the Cagayan River, this ₱4-billion (about $72 million) marvel is set to open in two months (August 2025), promising to transform connectivity and stimulate economic growth in the region, as per the Manila Standard.

The bridge's design features a cable-stayed structure with three steel towers and double cable planes, extending over 2.16 km, including approach roads.

Bridging opportunities

While the bridge's foundations, pillars, superstructure and cables are already in place, a makeshift service bridge used during its construction has been dismantled.

Once fully operational, the bridge will provide a vital link between the towns of Camalaniugan and Aparri, offering an alternative route to the existing Magapit Bridge in Lal-lo. 

This new connection is expected to benefit at least 6,000 travellers daily, reducing travel time between Aparri and Ballesteros by up to 20 minutes.

Monumental engineering feat

Initiated in June 2021 under the Duterte administration's "Build, Build, Build" programme, the Camalaniugan-Aparri Bridge is a collaborative endeavour between the Philippines' Agafer Construction and Trading and China’s Hunan Road and Bridge Construction Group Co. Ltd. 

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) emphasised the bridge's role in enhancing the movement of goods and services, fostering new avenues for investment, trade and tourism in northern Philippines.

Link to progress

Beyond its functional benefits, the new link stands as a symbol of progress and resilience. 

Its completion marks a significant milestone in the Cagayan Development Agenda, aiming to spur socioeconomic development and increase productivity in the region.

As the bridge nears completion, residents and travellers alike eagerly anticipate the enhanced connectivity and economic opportunities it promises to bring to Northern Luzon.

About Cagayan Valley 

The sprawling and mineral-rich Cagayan Valley (land area: 26,838 sq km) is renowned for its rich natural resources, agricultural productivity, and historical significance. 

It is a major agricultural region in the Philippines, with vast areas dedicated to farming, particularly rice and corn. 

It's also a hidden paradise.

The region is also home to the country’s largest river, the Cagayan River, which is crucial for irrigation and transportation. 

Additionally, Cagayan Valley boasts historical sites like the Tuguegarao Cathedral and the Callao Caves, offering a glimpse into its rich past.

Moreover, the Cagayan Valley Basin has the potential for oil and gas. It’s one of the 16 sedimentary basins in the Philippines, which has potential unmapped resources of 1,938 billion cubic feet (bcf) of gas and 26 million barrels of oil. 

Mapped resources include 123 bcf of gas and 3 million barrels of oil. There have been previous exploration efforts and discoveries, including the “San Antonio” gas field and “Mangosteen” gas discovery in the province.

'Mangosteen gas' discovery

In March 2015, PNOC EC drilled the Mangosteen-1 prospect within SC 37, encountering several gas-charged zones. This was confirmed as a gas discovery by the Department of Energy (DOE) in the same year, leading to further exploration activities.

Potential Resources

The Philippine Department of Energy (DOE) research titled “Philippine Petroleum Resource Assessment, Vol. 8 - Cagayan Basin” indicates a potential unmapped resource of 1,938 BCF of gas and 26 million barrels of oil. The potential mapped resource is 123 BCF of gas and 3 million barrels of oil.

The San Antonio Gas Field, operated by the Philippine National Oil Company - Exploration Corp (PNOC EC) under Service Contract (SC) 37, began production in 1994. It supplied a 3-MW power plant in Echague, Isabela, and produced approximately 3.54 billion cubic feet (BCF) of gas until it was decommissioned in 2008.