Is China backing out from providing loan assistance for the construction of the Panay-Guimaras-Negros bridge?
Ilonggo Senator Franklin Drilon, in an interview over radio station Bombo Radyo-Iloilo, said the implementation of the project is facing another problem.
China, according to Drilon, is no longer interested in the P27.1-billion bridge project, which is part of the Duterte administration’s “Build, Build, Build” program.
“Nadulaan na gana ang China because of the [coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)] pandemic siguro,” he said.
“So subong nagapangita ang gobyerno nga makahulam sa iba nga sources kay indi na magsige ang China nga magfund,” Drilon added.
The project is supposed to be financed by China’s official development assistance (ODA) loan.
Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Mark Villar said the feasibility study for project was completed last year.
The multi-billion peso bridge project will be built in two phases – 14.3-kilometer Panay-Guimaras link and 5.7-kilometer Guimaras-Negros link.
The Iloilo-Guimaras bridge will start in Leganes, Iloilo and will end in Buenavista, Guimaras while the Guimaras-Negros bridge will start and end in San Lorenzo, Guimaras and Pulupandan, Negros Occidental, respectively.IMT
