Comebacking senator Manny Pacquiao expressed his support for the Panay-Guimaras-Negros (PGN) bridges project, citing its potential to boost economic growth and create jobs in the countryside.
At the press conference of Alyansa para sa Bagong Pilipinas in Negros Occidental, Pacquiao underscored the importance of ensuring that infrastructure development does not harm the environment, particularly the endangered Irrawaddy dolphins in Pulupandan and Bago City.
“Part of economic development is improving transportation, and this bridge is a key infrastructure project that will accelerate progress,” he said at the press briefing. “But, at the same time, we must protect our environment. When I was part of the Task Force Kalikasan, we ensured that development projects did not damage nature.”
Pacquiao said there are new technologies that allow for the construction of bridges without harming corals and critical habitats, as seen in other countries.
He emphasized that government supervision is essential in the project’s implementation to ensure ecological and biodiversity safeguards.
He said he believes that with proper planning and modern engineering solutions, infrastructure and environmental protection can go hand in hand to develop the countryside.
“This bridge will greatly benefit the people living in this region, making travel faster and boosting the economy,” he added.
The proposed island bridges mega project connecting Panay Island, Guimaras, and Negros Island has two components.
These are the 13 kilometers Panay-Guimaras, or Section A, that will have a sea-crossing bridge length of 4.97 kilometers.
The Guimaras-Negros, or Section B, has a total length of 19.47 kilometers, including the sea-crossing bridge length of 13.11 kilometers, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) earlier said.
Civil works for the project’s first segment will commence in the second semester of 2025 and is set to be completed in June 2028.
The PGN is expected to reduce travel time of commuters, and the transport of goods from Panay to Negros, from three to four hours, to just less than one hour, the DPWH said.
“Our country is made up of many islands, so projects like this are necessary for national development,” Pacquiao said.
He added that the administration party can implement legislative agenda that will balance progress with conservation to protect the country’s rich biodiversity. ||
