“There comes a time when deceit and defiance must be seen for what they are. At that point, a gathering danger must be directly confronted. At that point, we must show that beyond our resolutions is actual resolve.” –Former US Vice President Dick Cheney

If the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte cancels the much-publicized Panay-Guimaras-Negros Bridge project, it would be tantamount to canceling the dreams of the entire Western Visayas and whip-up feelings of hatred, deceit, nightmares, and frustrations for the entire region; along with hatred toward those who promised the Western Visayas the moon and the stars. In particular, politicians who used the project to prop up and “deodorize” their public image will feel the heat.
Ilonggos will never forgive the Duterte administration as they will feel conned and deceived for more than three years. The bridge that was expected to expedite travel time and solve all major transportation issues turned out to be a figment of one’s imagination. Additionally, during that time, Ilonggos tolerated and allowed politicians, led by Department of Public Works and Highways Secretary Mark Villar, to loudly and proudly brag about the project and bringing the populace into the world of fantasy.
Now, nearing the climax of hallucinations, the project is scrapped in a snap of a finger? Incredible.
Hopefully, when Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia announced recently they would not push through with at least 75 major infrastructure projects due to “huge expenses and engineering issues,” the Panay-Guimaras-Negros Bridge project was not one of them. The mammoth bridge project has been advertised as part of the Duterte administration’s “Build, Build, Build” program and, if realized, it can stimulate economic activity in the two regions and, in one way or another, help decongest Metro Manila.
Hopefully, it does not become a case of going from “Build, Build, Build” to tears, outrage, and antipathy.

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Alex P. Vidal, who is now based in New York City, used to be the editor of two local dailies in Iloilo./WDJ