The procurement of consulting services for the detailed engineering design of the proposed Panay-Guimaras-Negros (PGN) Bridge is “ongoing,” according to the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA-6).

The deadline for the submission and receipt of bids was on March 16 while the notice to proceed is expected to be issued in June this year.

All detailed engineering design works will begin this year until 2025 while civil works are scheduled from 2025 to 2029.

The detailed design will cover the salient features of the project including the lighting, mechanical and electrical systems (solar energy, wind mill Spowered or any other renewable sources and conventional).

The 32.47-kilometer bridge connecting the island of Panay, Guimaras and Negros was confirmed by the NEDA Board in January 2020.

The loan agreement for the engineering services was signed on April 18, 2022.

In July 2022, the Department of Environment and Natur Resources – Environmental Management Bureau (DENR-EMB) issued the Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) for the project.

It was followed by passing of the Regional Development Council (RDC) VI Resolution No. 33, Series of 2022 endorsing the funding and implementation of the project in October 2022.

The PGN Bridge 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.

Once completed, the PGN Bridge will be the longest bridge in Western Visayas where people can leisurely cross Iloilo, Guimaras, and Bacolod for commerce, tourism, and other essential travels.IMT