BY DOMINIQUE GABRIEL G. BAÑAGA
BACOLOD City – The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), together with Negros Occidental acting governor Jeffrey Ferrer, visited the site where the proposed Guimaras-Negros bridge segment will be constructed in the town of Pulupandan, yesterday morning.
The DPWH was represented by Senior Undersecretary Emil Sadain, and they were accompanied by 4th District Board Member Jose Benito Alonso, Pontevedra Sangguniang Bayan member Jack Alonso, and Pulupandan mayor Miguel Peña.
Following the visit, a meeting was held between DPWH and provincial officials.
Among the issues tackled was the funding for the project. Information surfaced that the available funds so far are only for the Panay-Guimaras segment.
Ferrer also expressed support and cooperation once the project reaches the implementation stage.
Earlier this week, the acting governor showed optimism that funds would be secured for the construction of the Guimaras-Negros bridge segment.
At present, the Panay-Guimaras-Negros bridge project has completed its feasibility study. DPWH is targeting to commence by first quarter of 2023 the detailed engineering design (DED).
In his report to DPWH secretary Manuel M. Bonoan, Sadain said the Department of Finance (DOF) issued on Oct. 24, 2022 evidence of authority for the engineering services of the Panay-Guimaras-Negros Island Bridges for the loan agreement to be in effect.
To date, the procurement of consulting services for the DED and tender assistance is ongoing and submission and receipt of bidding documents is scheduled this December 2022.
The 32.47-kilometer Panay-Guimaras-Negros Island Bridges Project, composed of two-sea-crossing bridges connecting the islands of Panay, Guimaras and Negros in Region 6, is a large and complex project that requires comprehensive and high-standard engineering works to be serviced by consultants who have extensive experience in long-span bridges./PN
