Davao City first district Rep. Karlo Nograles, during a press conference yesterday, revealed a budget has not yet been appropriated for the proposed Negros-Guimaras-Panay Bridge, a project, according to Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Mark Villar, that would surpass the San Juanico Bridge as the longest bridge in the Philippines.

He said the project would be conducted between the Philippines and China, noting, “Maybe the Philippine government will have a counterpart fund.”

Last month, representatives of Chinese state-owned consultancy firm CCCC Highway Consultants Co., Ltd. were in the Western Visayas region to begin their pre-feasibility study on the first phase of the proposed bridge.

National Economic and Development Authority-Region VI (NEDA-6) Director Ro-Ann Bacal later revealed the firm projected construction on the Iloilo-Guimaras portion of the structure would begin in 2020.

Meanwhile, Nograles said a feasibility study is currently being conducted by NEDA.

Earlier, Metro Bacolod Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MBCCI) President Frank Carbon, who also serves as operator of inter-island ferry company Weesam Express, voiced his opposition to the Negros-Guimaras-Panay bridge, calling it a “burden [to] the next generation.”/PLL, WDJ