EDITORIAL - Bridge projects

At the recent third annual general assembly of Regional Development Council-7 in Dumaguete City, Cebu City south district Representative Antonio Cuenco has revived the proposal to link Cebu and Negros Oriental through a bridge.

Cuenco said linking Cebu and Negros through a bridge would spur economic development between the two island provinces. He also sees the need for the construction of the bridge as it strengthens the infrastructural base of the two provinces in Central Visayas.

If plans push through, the bridge will be built from Bato, Samboan in Cebu to Tampi, Amlan in Negros Oriental. Once finished, it would definitely cut travel time from Cebu to the neighboring province, and provide easy transport of products.

Aside from the proposed bridge linking Cebu and Negros Oriental, another bridge has been planned to connect Cebu and Bohol. The plan was hatched during the RDC meetings several years ago but has yet to be approved by the National Economic Development Authority.

Bohol Governor Erico Aumentado, the proponent of the project, said the 18-kilometer bridge, once approved by the NEDA, will be constructed from Getafe town in his province to Cordova town in Cebu. Called the Bohol-Cebu Multi-Access Friendship Bridge, its construction will be funded by the South Korea government.

If the regional authorities are really serious in realizing these two colossal infrastructure projects, they should double their efforts securing approval from those concerned agencies. They should see to it that these projects must be at the top of their priority list.

It is sad to note that while the proposals for the construction of the two bridges were brought up years ago, local authorities are slow to follow up their immediate implementation with concerned government agencies. Had the RDC officials were quick to lobby for the approval of the two projects, preparations for their full implementations would have already started.

Still, we see this latest move by the RDC a welcome development. For it only means that the council is still keen on pursuing the projects.