Cortes: The longest footbridge in Surigao del Sur, with a span of 1.6 km, was turned over to the residents of Barangay Tag-angonan in the town of Cortes on Tuesday afternoon after the completion of its third and final phase. Tag-angonan, an island barangay, is finally connected to mainland Cortes through the footbridge, which has a total cost of PHP117.38 million.

According to Philippines News Agency, the footbridge is expected to bring progress to the island barangay, especially for fisherfolk residents, as their marine products are now directly connected to market centers in mainland Mindanao. The completed project was turned over by Surigao del Sur 1st District Rep. Romeo Momo Sr. and Cortes Mayor Frederick Yu to the people of Tag-angonan through Barangay Captain Antioco Siona Sr.

"We extend our thanks to the present administration led by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and the Department of Public Works and Highways for the support they provided and the completion of this important infrastructure project," Momo said in a statement on Wednesday. He added that the completed project manifests the continuing campaign of the Marcos administration that no one is left behind.

The first phase of the project was completed in May 2024 with a budget of PHP39.2 million; the second phase in October 2025 with a cost of PHP39.2 million; and the final phase last month with a budget of PHP38.9 million. "The project will primarily benefit the fisherfolk in our barangay, especially in the transport of their marine products to market centers," Siona said in the same statement. Aside from the fisherfolk, residents of the island barangay can now safely travel to the center of Cortes town for important transactions, he added.

The completed footbridge will also pave the way for the delivery of basic government services to the residents of the island barangay.