Long-delayed Udalo Bridge connecting Mindoro’s twin provinces finally completed
Dennis Datu,
ABS-CBN News
Published June 27, 2026 10:44 AM PHT
OCCIDENTIAL MINDORO — After more than three years of delays that left residents and motorists struggling to travel between the northern parts of Oriental and Occidental Mindoro, the Udalo Bridge has finally been completed and is ready to open to traffic.
In February 2026, following an ABS-CBN News report highlighting the bridge’s unfinished condition and the hardships faced by residents, Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon personally inspected the project.
He issued an ultimatum to the new contractor, ordering the bridge’s completion by June 2026.
The bridge had remained unfinished for three and a half years, with only half of the structure completed by the previous contractor due to funding issues.
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During his inspection in February, Dizon witnessed firsthand the difficulties endured by residents and motorists, who were forced to cross the river on foot. Whenever floodwaters rose, many had no choice but to cling to the unfinished bridge just to reach the opposite side.
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On January 25, Dizon returned to the site and announced that the bridge would be opened to motorists after completing its mandatory 21-day concrete curing period.
The DPWH chief apologized to the people of Mindoro for the prolonged delay.
“Itong napakaimportanteng project na ito talagang kailangang-kailangan na dahil nadelay ng tatlong kalahating taon, hirap na hirap ang buhay nila humihingi ako ng paumanhin pati si PBBM humingi ng paumanhin sa kanila pero from now kailangan na natin ayusin ang mga proyektong ganito at naipakita natin dito na kaya naman pala natin matapos,” Dizon said.
The two-lane, 115-meter Udalo Bridge is part of the Abra de Ilog–Puerto Galera Road, a key section of the Mindoro Circumferential Road.
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An estimated 3,313 motorists traveling daily between Puerto Galera, Oriental Mindoro and Abra de Ilog, Occidental Mindoro are expected to benefit from the completion of the bridge.
Barangay Udalo Chairperson Ofelia Silan recalled the heartbreaking experiences they endured whenever floodwaters made the river impassable.
“Kasi po yung naranasan namin na kahit baha po kapag may namatay pinipilit namin makaliban po pero sa ngayon sobrang saya ho dahil natapos na rin po ang tulay at sana po pati yung aming kalsada,” Silan said.
Mangyan-Iraya tribal leader Suling Hinalman said the bridge would make it easier for indigenous farmers to transport their agricultural products to market.
“Talagang nakaka-good ng damdamin dahil natapos na, saka kami ho yung amin tanim makakadaan ho kami kahit anong oras kapag lumaki ilog,” Hinalman said.
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Abra de Ilog Mayor Maria Gloria “Meg” Montenegro-Constantino said the bridge would significantly improve the delivery of government services to remote communities, particularly during disasters.
“Ang isang barangay po namin ay mako-connect na kaya po kapag may mga kalamidad ay madali na po namin mapupuntahan and this barangay comprises more than 50 percent of our Mangyan population kaya ko po napaka-crucial sa health services, disaster response ay magagawa naming dahil sa proyektong ito,” the mayor said.
Following the completion of the Udalo Bridge, the government is also pushing to finish the concreting of the remaining section of the Puerto Galera–Abra de Ilog Road, a project that had stalled for more than a decade.
Dizon said the previous contract, formerly handled by the Discaya group, had been terminated. The project was subsequently rebid, and a new contractor was awarded the remaining work.
Only about seven kilometers of the 20.5-kilometer road remain unpaved, and Dizon vowed to complete the entire stretch by June 2027.
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“By middle of next year, konkreto na yung buo kasama yung Sigman (sitio), kasama ang papuntang Puerto Galera pati yung slope protection natin kasi may mga naglalandslide doon ay matatapos na natin” Dizon said.
Once completed, the road will serve as the missing link connecting the northern portions of Occidental and Oriental Mindoro.
Mayor Montenegro-Constantino said the project would provide faster access to Calapan City, where the region’s major government offices are located, strengthening connectivity across Mindoro Island.
“Ito na po yung missing link para po maconnect yung Occidental Mindoro at Oriental Mindoro on the north side and alam naman po natin ang all regional centers are located in Calapan so it would be an easy access if we could complete this road project,” the mayor added.
Once the 20.5-kilometer Puerto Galera–Abra de Ilog Road project is completed it is expected to dramatically cut travel time between Puerto Galera, Oriental Mindoro and Abra de Ilog, Occidental Mindoro to just one to two hours, from the current 10-hour journey along the existing 454-kilometer route.
