The Panay-Guimaras-Negros (PGN) Island Bridges Project is included in P8.3-trillion “Build Better More” Program of the administration of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.
Marcos mentioned the P189.53-billion inter-island bridges project in his second State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday, July 24.
“The program notably includes the Bataan-Cavite Interlink Bridge and the Panay-Guimaras Negros Island Bridges, each spanning 32 kilometers,” the President said.
The project is composed of two sections: Section A (13 km Panay-Guimaras) and Section B (19.47 km Guimaras-Negros).
The link between Section A (Panay-Guimaras) is a sea-crossing bridge with an approximate length of 4.97 kilometers, and a road approach with an approximate total length of 8.03 kilometers, with a combined length of 13 kilometers.
The link between Section B (Guimaras-Negros), moreover, is a sea-crossing bridge with an approximate length of 13.11 kilometers, road approaches with an approximate total length of 5.49 kilometers, road connectors measuring 0.87 kilometers, with a total length of 19.47 kilometers.
Meanwhile, Marcos called on the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) to speed up the completion of its long-delayed transmission line projects.
“We are conducting a performance review of our private concessionaire, the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines. We look to NGCP to complete all of its deliverables, starting with the vital Mindanao-Visayas and Cebu-Negros-Panay interconnections,” he said.
According to Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas, the “two very important projects that will create a big impact on the lives of the people in Western Visayas in general, and the residents of [the city] in particular.”
“The Panay-Negros-Guimaras Bridge[s project] has long been a dream for us. With this coming to fruition, ease of transportation, dynamic movement of goods and services, and much enhanced economic and tourism activities are assured,” he said.
“The Cebu-Negros-Panay interconnection in the NGCP grid is a truly welcome development as we are hoping to finally have stable energy source, transmission and distribution,” the mayor added.
Treñas is hoping that that Marcos administration will also prioritize the implementation of other projects namely, the Iloilo Airport expansion, the Jalaur River Multipurpose Project, and the improvement of our international port.”IMT
