ILOILO City – The proposed bridge linking this city to the island province of Guimaras may not likely be realized under the Duterte administration, according to Ilonggo senator Franklin Drilon.
China, which earlier expressed interest to fund the project, backed out.
“Asta subong wala pa sang bag-o nga funder,” said Drilon.
He revealed initial talks with the South Korean government and even a planned inspection by a technical team but this did not push through because of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.
“So sa subong, wala pa pondo. Pila ko na ka beses ginpamangkot ang Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). Ang siling nila gapangita sila bag-o nga funder,” said Drilon.
The proposed bridge would supposedly be another travel option when crossing the Iloilo Strait to go to any point in the nearby island province from Iloilo City. It could curb if not totally eliminate fatal sea mishaps.
CCC Highway Consultants Co., Ltd. of the People’s Republic of China was the company that conducted the feasibility study for the proposed bridge in 2019.
Based on the project profile, the Iloilo/Panay-Guimaras Bridge will start in Leganes, Iloilo and end in Buenavista, Guimaras. It would be between four to seven kilometers long.
“Indi ako gusto maghatag sang pag-asa sa aton mga kasimanwa. Sa akon pagtan-aw, we will not realize our dream of having this bridge. One year from now, ban na sang public works (due to the 2022 election). Sa akon nga tan-aw indi na ina mapursige o ma-umpisahan sa administrasyon ni Presidente Duterte,” Drilon said.
The Ilonggo senator hopes the bridge would be realized by the next administration.
“Tani ang sunod nga presidente more sympathetic sa aton banwa kag sa Guimaras para matagaan man sang prayoridad,” said Drilon.
The Iloilo/Panay-Guimaras Bridge is part of the proposed 32-kilometer Panay-Guimaras-Negros (PNG) bridges.
The PNG bridges are seen to allow easier access and open a network of more convenient transportation linkage that can transform the flow of people, goods and services between the three islands of Panay (comprising Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Iloilo provinces), Guimaras, and Negros (Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental).
It was announced late last year that the Guimaras-Negros Bridge won’t push through for lack of money and time./PN
