Due to the depth of the Tañon Strait: “Floating bridge” for Cebu, Negros

CEBU, Philippines - Because of the depth of the street between the islands of Cebu and Negros, a floating bridge is being eyed to connect Santander, Cebu and Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental.

Kabayan Party-list Representative Harry Roque said a European company is set to conduct a feasibility study about the putting up of a floating bridge, which, if materialized, will be the first in the Philippines.

This, after the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has reportedly given up on the hanging bridge due to the lack of available technology suitable to the deepness of the sea.

"This is just a wild idea pero kasi ako I never give up on a good idea kaysa mag-give na tayo at ang DPWH give up na kasi masyado daw malalim.  Let's explore something else," Roque said.

Roque added he will work on the funding of the feasibility study to make this project a reality.

"Susubukan ko pong mapunduhan yung feasibility study nang sa ganun matupad naman yung matagal nang ninanais ng mga taga-Cebu at mga taga-Dumaguete na magkaroon ng tulay between (the islands)," he said.

Roque said he is hoping the feasibility study would be finished within the year, so he can propose this to the National Economic Development Authority.

The lawmaker has around P200 million worth of infrastructure projects that can be used for the feasibility, construction of multi-purpose centers, school buildings, flood control projects, water system and others.

Roque, who has been frequenting Cebu, said the proposed project is one way of thanking the people of Cebu and Negros where he got the most number of votes in the last May 2016 elections.

Connecting Cebu and Negros forms part of the proposed Negros-Cebu-Bohol-Leyte (NECEBOLEY) Bridges being proposed to President Rodrigo Duterte in August last year.

Secretary Adelino Sitoy, who is the Presidential Adviser on Legislative Affairs and Head of the Presidential Legislative Liaison Office, earlier said the proposal was already referred to DPWH Secretary Mark Villar.

Sitoy said Governors Roel Degamo of Negros Oriental, Hilario Davide III of Cebu, Edgar Chato of Bohol and Damian Mercado of Southern Leyte had already accepted the projects in principle, subject to more specifications. (FREEMAN)