ILOILO City – The success or failure of the Panay-Guimaras bridge hinges on the completion of a geotechnical study that will collect the needed data, which will serve as basis for the bridge’s design and construction, according to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). It has apparently learned its lesson from the defective Ungka flyover project in Pavia, Iloilo. Poor geotechnical study led to the flyover’s vertical displacement.
Regional Director Sanny Boy Oropel stressed the importance of the geotechnical study, which is part of the process in coming up with a detailed engineering design (DED) for Panay-Guimaras part (Section A) of the Panay-Guimaras-Negros Island Bridges (PGN) project.
The study, currently underway, is expected to be completed by December 2024.
“The geotechnical study is on track, being conducted by Yooshin Engineering Company and Dasan Consultants, both based in South Korea,” Oropel confirmed to Panay News.
The Panay-Guimaras-Negros Island Bridges, a highly anticipated infrastructure project, has an estimated total investment of P187.54 billion. It is projected to significantly improve inter-island connectivity, transforming regional transportation and economy.
“Although the geotechnical study is progressing well, it depends heavily on actual site conditions. Delays may occur to ensure the accuracy of the data,” Oropel told Panay News.
Once the DED is completed, the procurement process will begin in the first quarter of 2025, with construction expected to start in the third quarter of the same year.
The project is targeted for completion by June 2028, before the end of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s term.
Oropel, however, said weather conditions, particularly the rainy season towards the end of 2024, could pose a challenge to the timely completion of the geotechnical study.
He emphasized the transformative potential of the PGN Island Bridges, which are expected to revolutionize regional accessibility by enabling faster and more efficient movement of people, goods, and services.
On December 20, 2023, DPWH and the consultants signed a contract agreement for the DED of this flagship infrastructure project. DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan approved the contract for consultancy services involving Yooshin Engineering Corporation, in a joint venture with Kyong-Ho Engineering and Architects Co., Ltd., Dohwa Engineering Co., Ltd., Soosung Engineering Co., Ltd., and Dasan Consultants Co., Ltd.
Earlier this year, consultants met with the Iloilo provincial government and presented the DED timeline and project description to Provincial Administrator Raul Banias, representing Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr.
The project includes the construction of 32.47 kilometers of sea-crossing bridges, connecting roads, and interchanges linking Panay Island to Guimaras Island, and Guimaras Island to Negros Island.
Section A, the Panay-Guimaras segment, will span 13.004 kilometers, while Section B, the Guimaras-Negros segment, will cover 19.47 kilometers.
The design period for the project is set from December 21, 2023, to June 21, 2026, with an estimated project cost of P187.54 billion.
Section A will connect Leganes in Panay to Buenavista, Guimaras, while Section B will link San Lorenzo, Guimaras to Pulupandan, Negros Occidental.
The project features for Section A include:
* Approach road (Panay and Guimaras) – 8.03 kilometers
* Approach Bridge 1 – 3.24 kilometers
* Main Bridge – 1.4 kilometers
* Approach Bridge 2 – 0.33 kilometer
For Section B, the features include:
* Approach road (Guimaras and Negros) – 6.36 kilometers
* Approach Bridge 1 – 7.2 kilometers
* Main Bridge – 1.4 kilometers
* Approach Bridge 2 – 4.51 kilometers
This project aims to realize the Philippine National Development Strategy by linking Panay, Guimaras, and Negros Islands. It promises safer, faster, and more convenient transportation between these islands, reducing travel time from three to four hours to under one hour./PN
