Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles reiterated that the proposed construction of a bridge that will connect Iloilo City and the island province of Guimaras is one the priorities of the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte.
“Basta macomply lang lahat ng requirements, agad agaran naming i-approve, but it has to pass through a process. We have to understand may proseso yan,” said Nograles said in a media interview.
Nograles was in Iloilo on Aug. 19-20 to lead the meetings with mayors of Yolanda-affected towns and preside the Cabinet Assistance System meeting.
Earlier, Ilonggo Senator Franklin Drilon said the Aug. 3 Iloilo-Guimaras sea tragedy that claimed 31 lives “justifies” the construction of the bridge
“It is high time that we build this bridge that is why I discussed it with (DPWH) Secretary (Mark) Villar,” he said.
In a report by the Philippine News Agency, Anna Mae Yu Lamentillo, chairperson of the DPWH’s “Build, Build’ Build” Committee, said the feasibility study of the Panay-Guimaras-Negros Bridge is expected to be completed within this year.
She explained why the actual construction of the “long-overdue” inter-island bridge has not yet been started.
“May requirements po kasi. For an inter-island bridge for example, may required na pre-feasibility study, feasibility study and detailed engineering design,” she said.
The feasibility study of the proposed bridge is ongoing. It is being undertaken by CCCC Highway Consultants Co. Ltd., a Chinese government-owned company.
The first phase of the proposed project is the Panay-Guimaras Bridge, which will start in Leganes, Iloilo and will end in Buenavista, Guimaras.
The second phase is the Guimaras-Negros Island Bridge, which will start in San Lorenzo, Guimaras and will end in Pulupandan, Negros Occidental.IMT
