BY IME SORNITO AND RM CALANTAS
GUIMARAS – After the Panay-Guimaras-Negros (PGN) Island Bridges Project figured in the second State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday afternoon, Guimarasnons showed high spirits.
Marcos said inter-island bridges like the PGN are included in his P8.3 trillion “Build Better More” Program.
“Twelve bridges totaling 90 kilometers will be constructed, connecting islands and areas separated by waters. The program notably includes the Bataan-Cavite Interlink Bridge and the Panay-Guimaras Negros Island Bridges, each spanning 32 kilometers, and the Samal Island-Davao City Connector Bridge,” Marcos said.
Bridges connecting Panay, Guimaras and Negros Occidental were originally conceptualized during the administration of the late President Corazon Cojuangco Aquino.
“The underlying logic to our infrastructure development is economic efficiency. We are opening up all gateways to mobilize goods and services at less cost and in less time, ultimately, to drive the economy,” said Marcos.
Guimaras’ Vice Gov. John Edward Gando said the PGN Island Bridges Project, an ambitious project, is in the pipeline of the current administration.
“I am glad that the President has allotted space in his speech about the Panay Guimaras Negros Bridge. It only works to confirm that the ambitious project is indeed in the pipeline,” Gando told Panay News.
He added that the inter-island mega bridges are “a ray of hope for Guimarasnon” finally implemented in no time.
Guimarasnon Jessica Lorque said this would significantly shorten travel from the province to Iloilo City, especially when bringing produce.
“Okay man tani na para indi mag-delay sa mga biyahe kapin pa kon may karga, indi mabudlay kon mag-transaction,” Lorque said.
“Sheila” from Buenavista town also said the bridge is necessary, especially since boat trips are at the mercy of weather conditions.
“Okay man kon may tulay para indi na ma-hassle kon may bagyo, puede kami gihapon ka tabuk,” she said.
Roslyn Galfo of Buenavista, meanwhile, was cynical about whether the project would begin soon.
“Ambot kon san-o, mauna pa basi kita musdok sang sa tulay,” he said.
Although thankful, Galfo worried that crimes such as theft would increase in Guimaras as more people have easy access in and out of the island province.
Based on the project profile, the Iloilo/Panay-Guimaras Bridge will start in Leganes, Iloilo and end in Buenavista, Guimaras. It would be between four and seven kilometers long.
On the other hand, the Guimaras-Negros Bridge will start in San Lorenzo, Guimaras and end in Pulupandan, Negros Occidental. It would be between five and 12 kilometers long.
The PGN bridges were also promised by then-President Rodrigo Roa Duterte but were shelved when the coronavirus pandemic struck in 2020.
The PGN has two components:
* 13-kilometer Panay-Guimaras bridge, or Section A
* 19.47-kilometer Guimaras-Negros bridge, or Section B
The Panay-Guimaras bridge will have a sea-crossing bridge length of 4.97 kilometers, while the Guimaras-Negros bridge has 13.11 kilometers of sea-crossing bridge length./PN
