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[av_heading heading=’Dream bridge excites Iloilo and Guimaras ‘ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=”]
BY GLENDA SOLOGASTOA and MERIANNE GRACE EREÑETA
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ILOILO City – Hopes are high for the realization of the proposed bridge that will connect the provinces of Iloilo and Guimaras.
No less than Secretary Mark Villar of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) wants it done, said Director Wenceslao Leano.
DPWH’s central office itself is making all the moves, he revealed.
The Japan International Cooperation Agency conducted a feasibility study long ago. Leano said it is up to DPWH to take action on it.
“The bridge will be beneficial to the growth and progress of the entire province and city of Iloilo, Guimaras Island, and Panay Island in general,” said Iloilo’s Gov. Arthur Defensor Sr.
Last month, Villar told Panay News, “Sa nakikita ko, magandang project ang bridge.” He hoped to conduct a bidding next year.
Villar said he was “fairly confident” the project will be completed before President Rodrigo Duterte’s term ends in 2012.
The Iloilo- Guimaras bridge is the first phase of the proposed interisland bridge project that will connect Visayas islands.
Phase 2 is the proposed bridge connecting Guimaras and Negros Occidental and Phase 3 is the bridge linking Negros Oriental to Cebu.
In January this year, Sen. Franklin Drilon disclosed another proposed feasibility for a 2.6-kilometer Iloilo-Guimaras bridge, this time for funding by the South Korean government.
Drilon said the estimated cost was around $70 million or P3.5 billion.
“It is just a question whether or not the cost benefit ratio will define the investment of public funds. And I am confident that it will. But we have to study it because we just do not want to go into projects which will not benefit us,” said Drilon.
GUIMARASNONS EXCITED
According to Guimaras vice governor John Edward Gando, the bridge “will spur more economic activities.”
It will also make traveling easier, most especially during inclement weather, he added.
At present, Guimaras is accessible to Iloilo – and vice versa – only via motorboats. The Philippine Coast Guard would suspend trips during stormy weather and hundreds of passengers would be stranded.
“Kun may bridge, wala na fear on the part of passengers who cross from Iloilo to Guimaras and vice versa,” said Gando.
The vice governor also said motorboat operators have nothing to worry.
“We have to consider the location of the bridge. Basi didto siya sa Leganes ibutang or Dumangas tapos (lapos) sa Buenavista. I don’t think people from Jordan, Nueva Valencia or some students will waste their time going to Leganes or Dumangas just to travel to Iloilo City. They would still prefer using motorboats,” said Gando.
Leganes is 10 km from Iloilo City while is Dumangas is much further./PN
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