According to the Department of Public Works and Highway (DPWH), the feasibility study for the Panay-Guimaras-Negros Bridge project is expected to conclude next month with the department projecting construction to commence in 2021.
“What is important is the feasibility study is completed,” said DPWH Secretary Mark Villar. “Once it is completed, we can proceed with the detailed engineering.”
Based on a timetable provided by DPWH, with construction scheduled to begin in 2021, the Panay-Guimaras bridge is scheduled to take two years, which takes the project into 2023; and an additional year for the Guimaras-Negros bridge sets a projected completion date sometime in 2024.
Last month, during a meeting with the mayors of Iloilo towns affected by Super Typhoon Yolanda, Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles confirmed the Panay-Guimaras Bridge project remains a priority of the national government.
“It is one of our priorities so to speak,” he said. “It has to pass through a process.”
The cabinet official explained the project still has requirements to fulfill before construction can proceed./WDJ