ILOILO City – The Uswag Ilonggo party-list thanked the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. for assuring the prioritization of four big infrastructure projects for Western Visayas.
Cong. James “Jojo” Ang personally thanked Secretary Manuel “Manny” Bonoan during the department’s budget hearing.
First of the four big-ticket projects is the 32-kilometer Panay-Guimaras-Negros Bridge.
“This is one of the priority programs we intend to implement within the term of the President,” said Bonoan.
The first segment of the project which is the Iloilo-Guimaras Bridge is now in the process of getting the consultancy services for the detailed engineering design, he revealed.
“Before the year ends I hope we will be able to start the detailed engineering design,” Bonoan added.
The first segment of the mega bridge project is what has been committed for funding by the Export-Import Bank of Korea, both for detailed engineering and civil works.
“But we are also trying to look for financing for the Guimaras-Negros (segment),” said Bonoan.
Another project is the Iloilo-Capiz-Aklan Expressway (Panay Expressway) which is seen to further boost the accessibility and ease of business in the whole Panay Island as well as the tourism industry in the region.
According to Bonoan, DPWH intends to expedite the implementation of the Panay Expressway project through a public-private partnership.
“The moment we clear out the implementing rules and regulations, we will continue to expedite the preparation of the project,” Bonoan said.
Ang, during the budget hearing, also asked DPWH for priority funding for the 80-kilometer Irrigation Highway in Iloilo province.
The Irrigation Highway runs parallel to the canal of the Jalaur River Multi-Purpose Project and will pass through the municipalities of Calinog, Lambunao, Badiangan, Janiuay, New Lucena, Cabatuan, Santa Barbara, Alimodian, San Miguel, Tigbauan, and Oton.
The fourth project which Ang is pushing is the Fort San Pedro-Molo-Arevalo-Oton Coastal Road; this is seen to address traffic decongestion in the city.
The synergy and cooperation of Ilonggo representatives in the Congress, provincial governors in the region, and mayors of cities and municipalities is very helpful in pushing for the above-mentioned projects.
Ang, for his part, vowed to continue working to realize these projects.
He believes that under the leadership of Bonoan, DPWH will improve the lives of Filipinos through quality infrastructure./PN
