Cebu-Bohol-Negros bridge link lauded

A group of commuters lauded the Regional Development Council-7 for pursuing the long-time proposed project to construct bridges linking the islands of Cebu, Bohol and Negros.

The Alliance of Concerned Commuters and Consumers also urged the RDC-7 to immediately implement it and boost trade and commerce in the three island provinces and bring great advantage to the commuters.

AC3 president Souie Mercado said that the idea came up several years ago but was not taken seriously.

"We are lauding the RDC for pushing for this project which is good for everybody. It is long overdue and it has already a blueprint before. With the RDC, we are hoping that it would be implemented very soon," he added.

Mercado also said that they expect there would be less corruption in the implementation of the project so it would be finished in shortest time possible.

"This would be very advantageous to commuters especially for students who study here in Cebu. They will no longer find a hard time traveling from Negros or from Bohol to study here because it would take them less than an hour to reach Cebu," he added.

Mercado said that they encourage the other government agencies and the public to support the project.

The plan to construct bridges to connect Bohol and Negros to Cebu was revived when former RDC chairman and Bohol governor Erico Aumentado announced that the council is negotiating with the Japan Bank for International Cooperation for the funding for the project.

Negros Oriental governor and incumbent RDC chairman George Arnaiz and Cebu governor Gwendolyn Garcia also supported the project.

The Pacific Consultants International is conducting the feasibility of this project called the "friendship bridges".

Aumentado said that under the plan, a bridge would be constructed from island of Cordova, Cebu to the town of Getafe in Bohol. Between them, he explained that the actual bridge would be about one kilometer crossing the Olango channel. Since there are many islands between Getafe and Olango, he added that they would be connected through viaducts.

On the other hand, another bridge would be constructed from Santander, Cebu to Amlan town in Negros Oriental. The bridge would be about seven kilometers including the viaduct, he said.