BY GABRIEL DOMINIQUE BAÑAGA
BACOLOD City – The Guimaras-Negros Bridge segment of the Panay-Guimaras-Negros mega bridge project is “still alive,” according to Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson.
The governor is optimistic the bridge will be “constructed at the right time” following the announcement of Public Works secretary Mark Villar.
Villar wrote on Facebook over the weekend they already completed the prefeasibility study for the Panay-Guimaras-Negros Bridge.
“We are now in the final stages of the feasibility study,” said Villar, who did not provide a timeline on the project’s implementation.
The 32-kilometer Panay-Guimaras-Negros Bridge is composed of two phases: the Panay-Guimaras section which is 13 kilometers long and the Guimaras-Negros section, 19.37 kilometers long.
Linking the three major islands in Western Visayas, the project is seen to improve the transport of agricultural products that can lead to inclusive growth.
Meanwhile, Lacson said the new study will now include areas in E.B. Magalona and Victorias City in the 3rd District of the province.
“Buhay pa na’ng plano. Madayon gid ang connection from Panay to Negros Occidental,” Lacson said.
On Sunday, Lacson discussed the latest development on the bridges project in a radio program hosted by Vice Gov. Jeffrey Ferrer.
“Both islands will benefit definitely, especially their tourism sectors,” Lacson said.
Ferrer, for his part, duly supports the project but he pointed out that careful study should be made.
August last year, Vivencio Dizon, presidential adviser on flagship programs and projects, announced the Guimaras-Negros Bridge segment was shelved as the government struggled to find funds to address the coronavirus pandemic.
Dizon said the government would will prioritize infrastructure projects which were already “shovel ready” or “already at the advanced stages, at the very least, of government approval.”/PN
