RDC-6: "Dream" bridges still a long shot

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — The ambitious project of building bridges to connect the islands of Negros, Guimaras and Panay will cost billions of pesos and since there is no source of funds for it yet, it was not discussed in the Regional Development Council-Region 6 meetings.

"The plan is frequently brought up during our meetings but nothing is definite yet. It is still a long shot," Guimaras Gov. Felipe Hilan Nava said at a press conference after the RDC meeting at the Negros Occidental Capitol last week.

The "dream" bridges that will interconnect the three islands will cost P27 billion based on current estimates, and there seemed to be no source for funding yet, said Capiz Gov. Victor Tanco, chairman of the RDC.

National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) regional director Ro-An Bacal, who sits as RDC vice-chairperson, said the proposed project was not discussed at the meeting.

"There was a request that we include the matter but then there was no firm proposal presented to the secretariat and therefore we decided to defer it. And even if it's going to be presented it will be referred to the infrastructure (development) committee," Bacal said.

Nava however said there was already a feasibility study on the proposed bridges done by Japan International Cooperating Agency (JICA) from 2006 to 2008.

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has a copy of the feasibility study, he said, adding that the trans-link bridges would have included Cebu Island.

If funded, the bridge that will connect Panay and Guimaras will be built from 2011 to 2015, and from Guimaras to Negros from 2016 to 2020, Nava said.

Earlier a DPWH official was quoted to have said that current estimates of the Panay-Guimaras-Negros bridges will be around P53.9 billion.

Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr., for his part, said he was confident that the bridges can happen in the younger generation's lifetime. "It will take a long time but at least the first steps are being started now and it may be realized in this lifetime," he said.

The proposed bridge connecting Panay and Guimaras Islands has already been covered by a P4.8-billion fund under the Regional Development Investment Program for 2011-2016. — THE FREEMAN