BY ERWIN ‘AMBO’ DELILAN
THE PROPOSED P1-billion Panay-Guimaras-Negros (PGN) bridges are like “lulubog” (will sink) and “lilitaw” (will appear), making both Ilonggos and Negrenses “ramble”.
Senators Franklin Drilon and Cynthia Villar had publicly announced that the project won’t push through anymore within the Duterte administration. Hence, lots of Ilonggos and Negrenses were dismayed. Some were even frustrated.
Drilon himself exclaimed: “Very frustrating! This is everyone’s dream in Western Visayas (WV).”
Time lack also added to the “prattles” on the controversial project. Wild guesses then throve until these reached to a speculation of “Yellow allergy”.
“Yellow allergy” is President Rodrigo Duterte’s alleged vengeance against Western Visayans for being tagged as die-hard “Dilawan” or yellow supporters.
Yellow is the current political color of incumbent Vice President Leni Robredo.
Is this true? So amusing!
But here comes the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) in Region 6. Through the facilitation of Assistant Secretary to the Visayas Jonjie Gonzales, NEDA-6 straightened some facts about this PGN bridges project which, I think, would make Ilonggos and Negrenses happy.
The PGN bridges project, announced NEDA-6, will probably start anytime this 2021. Such will be implemented in three tranches:
* First, completion of detailed engineering design.
* Second, construction of Panay-Guimaras segment.
* Third, construction of Guimaras-Negros segment.
But all these will be realized once (all) environmental concerns have been addressed, it said.
So as of now, there is still an ongoing negotiation regarding its implementation, clarified NEDA-6.
But the Pyunghwa Engineering Consultants Ltd., a consultant company engaged by the Korean Exim Bank, had (already) completed its review of the feasibility study that was conducted by China Communications Construction Company (CCCC) Highway Consultants, Ltd., NEDA-6 added. And such was already submitted to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Central Office.
NEDA 6 also commented on the report from the Korean consultant. It’s being assessed by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) right now.
“There is also a need to fast track the detailed engineering design to fit within the 2021 schedule,” it said. “And, as a matter of fact, the feasibility study has been completed. We are now on the phase of engineering design.”
Thus, DPWH, NEDA and the government are pursuing this PGN bridges project.
What a good announcement with certain clarifications, indeed.
But Bacolod businessman Frank Carbon seems “unhappy” with this newest development. He pointed out that, “At this time of pandemic, the national government expenditures program should focus on ending the pandemic and program(s) that will give post-pandemic solutions for quicker economic recovery.”
This, as he emphasized that this economic recovery he is talking to must dwell on program(s) that will generate thousands of jobs and improve the productivity of the agriculture sector, and introduce technology to convert “agri” produce to processed food.
Inter-island bridges, he stressed, should be erased in the list as they will not contribute to a “quick” economic recovery.
“Take note that I don’t use fast but quick as we have lost time in our ‘hit and miss’ strategy in ending the pandemic.”
Quick because we have to recover in a shortest time possible or else the damage will be irreversible, will deepen poverty, malnutrition, and will increase school dropouts, accentuated Carbon, current chair of the Bacolod Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MBCCI).
Villar also once stressed that PGN bridges project is “not a priority” right now.
And, she added, “Its economic returns not best, too!”
But for Negros’ tourism pundit, Ver Pacete, these “dream bridges” could make travel easier from Negros to Panay, and vice versa. And best for our tourism promotion, he stressed.
Addendum by Jennylind Cordero, Negros Occidental’s senior tourism officer, “Connectivity is important in tourism. And to have bridges directly connecting to Guimaras and Panay would be good for both agriculture and domestic tourism.”
Hence, both Pacete and Cordero consider the PGN bridges project as a boon not just for Negros, but for WV tourism promotion in general.
WV, per target amidst the COVID -19 pandemic, expects around 1.4 million tourists this year, and more than 2.5 million next year. But if these “dream bridges” will be realized sooner, for sure, it will entice more and more tourists to come to WV due to easy travel between Negros and Panay.
Meanwhile, I salute Sir Carbon for being candid. His wisdom and “brilliant” ideas about what’s happening now around the world against the long-awaited PGN bridges are truly notable.
Well, he is entitled to his (own) opinion, much more to his business insights. I can feel him. And I do understand his predicament towards the issue.
COVID-19 is real. Millions and millions of Filipinos now are “languishing” from hunger due to massive job losses. Government’s “ineptitude” in handling COVID-19 pandemic is also blatant.
Even the tycoons — the Sys, Gokongweis, Tans, among others – are gravely affected and “crying” for government’s help, too.
Businesses – macro or micro – want to recover as soon as possible. And this P1-billion proposed budget for PGN bridges could be a “good seed” for us to hammer speedy economic recovery. But nobody knows yet how, when and where to start.
On the other hand, we can’t also blame the tourism people who were so excited with this newest development about the “dream bridges”. They, too, were “craving” now for the immediate normalcy of the situation so tourism can take off anew.
A lot of tourism workers nationwide were already jobless for more than a year. And these “dream bridges” could be their “rainbow” amidst the darkest clouds in the sky.
So my fervent prayer then: May the right decision will prevail sooner./PN
