Bridge feasibility study to include 3rd District

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  • MITCH M. LIPA

The construction of the bridge linking Negros, Guimaras and Panay islands, as promised by past and current national government administrations, surfaced anew, prompting local officials to express hopes that the ambitious, multi-billion peso undertaking, will soon become a reality.

This time, the “message of hope” came from Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Roy Cimatu, who said that his agency is endorsing the inclusion of the Third District as an alternative site aside from the proposed original take off point in Pulupandan.

The Panay-Guimaras-Negros bridge design posted on DPWH Sec. Mark Villar Facebook Page

Cimatu, reports said, recently endorsed in a new study the Third District in another feasibility to be commissioned by the national government.

And if that happens, it will no longer be Negros-Guimaras-Panay Interlink, as the Third District is way too far from Guimaras, local engineers following this development, pointed out.

Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson disclosed that he received a copy of the statement made by Cimatu that another study will be made for Panay-Negros Bridge.

This time it will include the possible areas in E.B. Magalona or Victorias City as connecting sites for Negros island, Lacson said.

Lacson said that the DENR secretary may have taken into consideration the letters from University of St. La Salle and Silliman University that suggested the Third District area as potential connecting site for the two islands.

No specific details, however, were given regarding the supposed USLS and SU letter.

Earlier reports said that the feasibility study for Negros-Panay Bridge was aborted as the contractor was said to have pulled out from the project.

But Lacson said he could not ascertain as to reliability of the reports since he also got an information that the original three feasibility studies conducted for the Panay-Guimaras-Negros Bridge have already been completed.

Apparently, no proper presentation was made to local stakeholders.

Regional officials have been getting mixed signals from the national government regarding the project in the last five years.

The Negros-Guimaras-Panay Bridge was among those listed as priority under President Duterte’s Build Build Build Program.

But a few years back, the National Economic Development Authority said it has been scrapped from the list.

Few days ago, Secretary Mark Villar of the Department of Public Works and Highways said otherwise, assuring Region 6 that the bridge project is a go.

The 2022 elections are just around the corner so it could only be another empty promise to generate support for the administration’s anointed candidates, political observers said.

It’s been six years since the bridge project was floated but not a single feasibility study was presented to the public locally. If it is true that they have completed three studies, where are they? The people certainly would like to see their details, they added.

With regards to the Panay-Guimaras Bridge, Lacson said that all governors of six provinces in the region have a common position to proceed with the project. – MML