Binitayan-Kilikao bridge opening delayed anew

By Manuel T. Ugalde

DARAGA, Albay --- The long-delayed opening of the Binitayan-Kilikao Bridge in Daraga, Albay, has been pushed back anew, despite earlier commitments by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to complete the project.

The four-lane steel bridge, which is intended to improve access to five upper Mayon barangays, has been the subject of repeated delays since the project was first pursued through earlier bridge structures in the area.

The latest bridge project, reportedly costing P557 million, was started in 2025 and was originally targeted for completion in October of the same year. The project was awarded to a company identified with the Sunwest Group of Companies.

The bridge project drew renewed attention after DPWH Secretary Vincent Dizon visited the site in May and directed regional officials to work toward completing the structure within three months.

The target opening in July, however, was not met.

A subsequent commitment was made to open at least part of the four-lane bridge in August to make the structure passable. Albay 2nd District Rep. Carlos Loria later said the concrete pouring for the bridge was completed on Aug. 28, but noted that the concrete would require a curing period of about a month before the bridge could be opened to traffic.

With September ending and the bridge still closed, Albay Gov. Noel Rosal said the possible opening could be moved to November.

The continuing delay has drawn concern from residents and local officials, particularly because the bridge is expected to improve transportation and evacuation access for communities located near Mayon Volcano.

The present structure is the third major bridge project undertaken in the area. Earlier attempts included a two-lane concrete bridge reportedly costing about P110 million, which was abandoned after reaching only around 20 percent completion, and a two-lane steel bridge reportedly costing P40 million that was subsequently damaged or washed away by flooding.

The earlier projects were reportedly funded under the Bicol Calamity Assistance Rehabilitation and Emergency (BCARE) program following Typhoon Reming in 2006, which severely affected Albay.

The Binitayan-Kilikao crossing has long been considered important to the upper Mayon communities because of its role in the movement of agricultural products, transportation and emergency evacuation during volcanic activity and severe weather.

The project has also been linked by local stakeholders to the accessibility of the former site of the Isarog Paper Pulp and Paper Co. in Barangay Kilikao. A retired banker interviewed for the report attributed the company’s eventual relocation to Sorsogon partly to transportation difficulties in the area, but the claim could not be independently established.

Questions have likewise been raised about the implementation arrangement for the P557-million project. Records cited in the report indicate that the project was implemented by the Albay 2nd District Engineering Office, although the report cited a DPWH order setting project-cost thresholds for implementation by district and regional offices.

The repeated delays have prompted calls for the DPWH to clarify the project’s implementation history, remaining work, funding status and the latest completion timetable.

As of the end of September, the bridge remained closed to traffic, with November identified as the latest possible opening period by the provincial government.