ILOILO City – The long-awaited dream of Western Visayans for a faster and safer mode of transportation is drawing closer to reality with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) officially signing a contract for the detailed engineering design (DED) of the Panay-Guimaras-Negros Island Bridges Project.
The move marked a significant advancement in the project, a key part of the region’s infrastructure development.
DPWH secretary Manuel Bonoan approved the contract with Yooshin Engineering Corporation and its partners – Kyong-Ho Engineering and Architects Co., Ltd., Dohwa Engineering Co., Ltd., Soosung Engineering Co., Ltd., and Dasan Consultants Co., Ltd. – on Dec. 20, 2023.
This consortium will handle the DED and tender assistance for the bridge, a cornerstone project under President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s “Build, Better, More” program, aimed at enhancing living standards and boosting economic stability in Western Visayas.
The contract, valued at P2.671 billion, was signed by DPWH senior undersecretary Emil K. Sadain and representatives from the joint venture companies.
The funding for this phase of the project comes from a loan provided by the Export-Import Bank of Korea (KEXIM) under the Official Development Assistance (ODA) of the Economic Development Cooperation Fund (EDCF) Loan Agreement No. PHL-23.
This is part of the ongoing collaboration between the Philippines and South Korea to foster economic growth and development.
The DED is expected to be completed by 2025 and will be immediately followed by civil works scheduled from 2025 to 2032.
This phase includes constructing the 32.47-kilometer sea-crossing bridges and connecting roads, linking Metro Iloilo on Panay Island to Guimaras island province and Negros Island.
Section A of the project covers a 13-kilometer stretch between Panay and Guimaras islands, with an estimated cost of P57.702 billion.
Section B, spanning 19.47 kilometers, will connect Guimaras and Negros islands at an indicative cost of P109.76 billion.
Upon completion, the bridge is expected to cut travel time between Panay and Negros islands from four hours (via ferries/RORO) to approximately one hour by land.
The DED process, including design specifications and cost estimates, is expected to take about two years to complete.
The DED is crucial as it will guide the procurement of contractors for the bridge’s construction and determine the final cost.
The national government is also using this time to identify potential funders for the project.
The construction timeline estimates a start in 2025, with a goal of completion by 2030.
Although the project might not be completed within the current president’s term, it is assured to begin during his administration./PN
