ILOILO City – Even with the delays in the procurement process for the detailed engineering design (DED), the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Region 6 remains confident that the construction of the proposed Panay-Guimaras-Negros (PGN) Island Bridges in Western Visayas will commence in the last quarter of 2025.
According to NEDA-6 director and Regional Development Council vice chairperson Engr. Arecio A. Casing Jr., even though the contract for the DED has not yet been awarded, there is sufficient time.
The national government plans to start the DED this year.
“According to the schedule, the detailed engineering design was planned to commence this year. It will take two years to complete. So, if it gets awarded this year, we have 2024 and 2025 to complete the DED. Our target is to begin the bridge construction in 2025 and finish it by 2030,” Casing explained in an interview with Panay News.
Casing added that if the “notice to proceed” for the DED is awarded this December 2023, they anticipate the DED will be finished within 18 months to two years. He still expects that construction can start in the late quarter of 2025.
Recently, Casing was informed by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) central office that they would re-conduct or re-bid the DED procurement process due to a failed bid on Sept. 14.
“We were informed by the DPWH central office that they will re-bid the DED procurement because the bid exceeded the allocated amount. So, they rescheduled the second bidding for the DED of the PGN and aim to award the notice to proceed by December of 2023,” added Casing.
The DED will detail the bridge’s design, the program of works, costs, detailed activities, a study to identify the precise starting point of the project, and underwater soil types.
During these two years, Casing anticipates that experts or engineers from the winning contractor will inspect project sites, checking aspects like water current and depth.
The DED will also finalize the amount or contract cost, which will be used by the government to seek potential funders.
“The DED is crucial as it’s the foundation for procuring the contractor. This DED will be packaged with the procurement documents for bidding, wherein our government will bid this out, including the DED, to a contractor willing to construct the bridge,” Casing noted.
While the DED is in progress, the national government will seek potential funders for the bridges. Casing couldn’t provide a cost estimate for the bridges due to potential future material price changes.
Casing believes the PGN’s realization is highly significant for the Ilonggos and the rest of Western Visayas because it will enhance connectivity and the commute for people and products throughout the region. It would also streamline regional connectivity to places like Dumaguete and other parts of Visayas if there’s a bridge.
“Imagine the flow of people and goods from South Negros to Dumaguete… those wanting to visit Boracay could directly connect through the three islands,” Casing said.
On Sept. 27, DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan sent a letter to Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas informing him of the delay in the DED procurement process for the PGN. The secretary disclosed that the bid for the project exceeded the loan proceeds and DPWH’s estimated project cost. Consequently, the Export-Import Bank of Korea (KEXIM) agreed with the decision to re-bid the services.
The PGN project has two main components:
* 13-kilometer Panay-Guimaras bridge (Section A)
* 19.47-kilometer Guimaras-Negros bridge (Section B)
The Panay-Guimaras bridge will span 4.97 kilometers across the sea, while the Guimaras-Negros bridge will span 13.11 kilometers./PN
