Philippines: Island hopping just got easier in Tawi-Tawi with new bridge linking 2 islands, more yet to come

Manila: Big news from the Tawi-Tawi, the southern-most province in the Philippines.

Remember those days of waiting for boats or doing complicated island-hopping moments?

Well, get ready to wave goodbye to those woes, because the Nalil-Sikkiat Bridge No. 1 is practically completed.

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) just spilled the beans: this brand-new new bridge is 96% done and slated to open to travelers next month (July 2025).

That would mean: Smooth sailing (or driving) between Bongao and Sanga-Sanga Islands is just around the corner.

This isn't just any bridge.

This 541-metre link is part of a infrastructure rollout called the "Improving Growth Corridors in Mindanao Road Sector Project" (IGCMRSSP, try saying that five times fast).

It's getting a little help from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and is a shining star in President Marcos Jr.'s "Build Better More" drive.

DPWH Senior Undersecretary Emil K. Sadain recently did a walk-through of the site on May 23, with ADB Vice President Scott Morris joining the tour.

Tawi-Tawi Governor Yshmael I. Sali was there to welcome them.

Sadain highlighted that the Nalil-Sikkiat Bridge, along with its soon-to-be-completed links — the Tongsinah-Paniongan Bridge No. 2 and the Malassa-Lupa Pila Bridge No. 3 — are significant for Tawi-Tawi and the entire Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

"These bridges are more than just physical connectors," Sadain said.

"They are symbols of the government’s strong commitment to realising Mindanao’s long-standing development potential through inclusive and modern infrastructure."

The Nalil-Sikkiat Bridge project cost ₱1.08 billion ($19.5 million) – that's an investment for these southern-most islands.

It’s being built by the Unified Project Management Office – Roads Management Cluster II (UPMO-RMC II), with China Wuyi Co., Ltd. as the contractor, according to the Philippine News Agency (PNA).

The other bridges are also making great strides! The 680-metr eMalassa-Lupa Pila Bridge No. 3, which links Sanga-Sanga Island to the main part of Tawi-Tawi, is already 72% done.

Plus, the early stages of building the 570-metre Tongsinah-Paniongan Bridge No. 2, connecting Pababag Island to Sanga-Sanga, have already begun.

Soon, the entire region will be a super connected paradise!

These awesome new bridges are set to make life so much easier. Imagine smoother commutes, quicker trips to the market for your fresh catch, and a big boost for local industries like fishing and seaweed farming.

More importantly, these connections are expected to bring more peace and awesome development to the region.

"These bridges are vital to Tawi-Tawi’s economic growth and in strengthening peace in the region," Sadain added in Filipino, reminding everyone that these bridges are not just about concrete and steel, but about a brighter future for Tawi-Tawi.