Proposed bridge linking Negros, Panay revived

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — An earlier proposed project to construct a bridge connecting Negros and Panay Islands has been revived by Negros Occidental Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr. and Iloilo Gov. Arthur Defensor Sr.

"I have discussed the proposal with Gov. Defensor," Marañon said Wednesday, and that their two provinces will present a joint resolution for the project, during the coming Regional Development Council-Region 6 meeting.

Marañon said the new proposal is that the bridge will be constructed from Barangay Tomongtong of E.B. Magalona town in Negros Occidental to Banate town in Iloilo. This will span a total of 14.5 kilometers, which is the shortest distance between the two islands.

Marañon said it will take years to finish the project study, but he believed the project is viable, and that he will ask President Benigno Aquino III for assistance to realize it. "This cannot be done without the help of the president," he said.

Negros Occidental 3rd District Rep. Alfredo Benitez, whose jurisdiction includes E.B. Magalona, said the project cost should match the economic benefits.

There were several proposals in the past to construct bridges connecting Iloilo, Guimaras and Negros Occidental, but nothing came out of these because of budgetary constraints.

The legislators urged President Aquino, the Philippine Public-Private Partnership Center, the Department of Public Works and Highways and the National Economic Development Authority to prioritize the construction of trans-link bridges in the government's public-private partnership program.

In March last year, 19 congressmen in the Visayas, including the five from Negros Occidental, expressed support for the Panay- Guimaras-Negros bridge project through a House resolution.

Iloilo City Rep. Jerry Treñas, who initiated the resolution, then said the construction of the bridges will cost P53.66 billion.

The proposal in the past had two bridges spanning a total of 23.19 kilometers: The first bridge, from Leganes in Iloilo to Buenavista in Guimaras had a length of 20.6 kilometers; and the second bridge, from San Lorenzo in Guimaras to Pulupandan in Negros Occidental spanned 2.59 kilometers.

The master plan for the two bridges was drafted by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in 1999. In 2010, the DPWH also came out with the Panay-Guimaras-Negros bridges study that required a P28.5-billion funding for the project. (FREEMAN)