BY DOMINIQUE GABRIEL BAÑAGA
BACOLOD City – Is the Guimaras-Negros Bridge segment of the Panay-Guimaras-Negros mega bridge project pushing through this year?
Fake news, according to Vice Gov. Jeffrey Ferrer. There was no truth to such information spreading on social media, the governor pointed out.
The mega bridge project, he reiterated, was already shelved by the national government due to the realignment of funds to address the coronavirus pandemic.
While ruling out false claims, Ferrer was still apprehensive over the initial plan to construct the bridge near Pulupandan town and Bago City.
“It could threaten the marine life there,” he warned.
Based on a study of research group Lumba Project, the area in Pulupandan and Bago City is home to critically endangered Irrawaddy dolphins. The group has since been critical over the proposed construction of the bridge as it could threaten the dolphins’ habitat.
Ferrer suggested the ideal spot for construction would be in Valladolid town, citing the presence of a sea wall there that could probably pose no danger to the environment.
In August of last year, Presidential Adviser on Flagship Programs and Projects Vivencio Dizon announced the Guimaras-Negros Bridge segment of the Panay-Guimaras-Negros mega bridge project was put on hold.
Dizon explained the government was prioritizing infrastructure projects which were already “shovel ready” or “already at the advanced stages, at the very least, of government approval.”
The Department of Public Works and Highways reported the bridge connecting Guimaras and Negros is estimated to cost P123.8 million, while the structure between Panay and Guimaras would amount to P65.7 million./PN
