The Infrastructure Development Committee (IDC) in Western Visayas endorsed the Panay-Guimaras-Negros (PGN) Bridge project “after it has been held in abeyance for three years due to the re-alignment of the approach.”
The multibillion-peso project, which is seen to spur development in the region, was endorsed during the Regional Development Council’s (RDC-6) 3rd Quarter Meeting.
In a press release, the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA-6) described the endorsement by the IDC-6 as a “historic moment.” The committee is chaired by Iloilo City Mayor Jerry P. Treñas.
“The PGN bridge is one of the flagship projects of the Build, Build, Build Program. The endorsement marks the realization of an all-weather, safer, faster and more convenient transportation among islands,” the NEDA-6 said.
Earlier, the Provincial Development Council (PDC) of Negros Occidental passed PDC Resolution No. 7, series of 2022 approving Pulupandan in Negros Occidental as the final site for the approach of the bridge.
The IDC-6 also endorsed the Iloilo-Capiz-Aklan Expressway or ICAEx project, which is part of the Philippine High Standard Highway Network.
“This is good news for the region considering that in the year 2019, the Regional Development Council requested DPWH to move the pre-FS for the expressway in the medium term period instead of the long term thus accelerating its implementation,” the NEDA-6 said.
“These IDC endorsements will be presented to the Regional Development Council during its Full Council Meeting on October 13, 2022,” it added.IMT
