By Omar Fernando

DAVAO CITY—Top leaders in the province of Lanao del Norte met with former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte to express their heartfelt gratitude for “making the dream of the people of the province come into reality” through the completion of the Panguil Bay Bridge.

Governor Imelda “Angging” Quibranza-Dimaporo and her husband Abdullah “Bobby” Dimakuta Dimaporo, the former second district representative of Lanao del Norte, led the delegation during the recent visit.

The Panguil Bay Bridge, spanning 3.17 kilometers, is considered the longest in Mindanao and connects Lanao del Norte and Misamis Occidental provinces.

The bridge’s construction commenced in February 2020 during the administration of then-President Duterte.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. formally opened the completed bridge on Sept. 27.

In its news coverage of the inauguration, state-controlled Philippine News Agency (PNA) said the project is among the “198 high-impact priority infrastructure flagship projects under the Marcos administration’s ‘Build, Better, More’ program.” (PBBM inaugurates Mindanao’s longest bridge, Sept. 27, 2024)

The PNA quoted Marcos: “We waited for this for such a long time. But today, the waiting is ended. We are here for the inauguration of the Panguil Bay Bridge Project – a day that we have long looked forward to.”

Marcos was quoted in the same news article: “We do not get intimidated or discouraged by obstacles that are put in our way. We worked harder, pushed harder [and] never lost sight of why we are building this bridge. And while we are celebrating this monumental achievement, I would like to highlight the ripple effect it will have on local businesses.”

The President added: “It is just the beginning. We are building a Bagong Pilipinas (New Philippines), one where every Filipino, no matter how far, no matter how remote, is somehow connected.”

Distasteful claims

Such claims became distasteful among the residents of Lanao del Norte, Misamis Occidental, and the other regions of Mindanao.

In a separate social media post by the PNA, “ONGOING: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. delivers a speech” (Sept. 27, 2024), netizens vented disgust over the assertions and entitlements made.

In the post, most netizens thanked Duterte for implementing the project and even the late President Noynoy Aquino for laying the ground for the planning.

One netizen, Adjun Casil Nioda, said, “Thanks NOY AQUINO for Signing the Approval as green light for this project. Thanks DUTERTE for allocating the budget, implementing & supervising the project in a right, fastest way. Thanks MARCOS for the Photo ops. pra makita ng mga tao na this project really existed.”

Another netizen, Glenn Te, said: “Kang PPnoy po yan sa planning, implementation kay PRRD, and the cutting of the ribbon, BBM na.”

Other FB posts also disparaged Marcos for his claims without acknowledging the efforts of the past administrations, which played vital roles in realizing the Panguil Bay Bridge.

Giving the right credit

During their visit, the Dimaporo couple and the rest of the delegation thanked Duterte for the support the province of Lanao del Norte received during his administration.

They also recognized Duterte’s “Build, Build, Build” program that paved the way for the bridge’s construction.

Governor Dimaporo was quoted saying "Di gyud namomalimtan ang imong pagka maayo (We won’t forget your kindness).

The governor also wants to cross the Panguil Bay Bridge with former President Duterte.

The Dimaporo couple and the rest of the leaders of Lanao del Norte received positive responses from netizens recognizing the Duterte administration's efforts and accomplishments.