The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Region VII clarified Thursday that no reclamation activities are taking place at the Tagbilaran City-Panglao Offshore Bridge Connector project site.
In a letter to Tagbilaran City Administrator Alvin Luis O. Acuzar, DPWH Regional Director Danilo J. Villa Jr. explained that what is “alleged to be reclamation” is actually a temporary craneway constructed to facilitate equipment and material movement for the bridge project.
“What may have been perceived as reclamation could be the craneway item which comprised of an embankment-type structure,” Villa wrote.
The structure will be removed once construction is completed.
The clarification came after City Hall complained about potential reclamation activities at the project site, locally known as the third bridge area.
During a coordination meeting, DPWH officials presented plans for the bridge project, including details about the temporary embankment.
City government representatives attended the December 2024 meeting, contrary to earlier claims about lack of coordination.
The bridge project, which will connect Tagbilaran City to Panglao Island, continues to progress with support from various government agencies.
Similar temporary craneways have been used in other bridge projects in Bohol province, including the Bien Unido-Talibon bridge construction.
The DPWH regional office, which oversees the project implementation, maintains that the craneway is essential for the upcoming construction phase and will be properly dismantled upon completion.