By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The Department of Public Works and Highways-Region VI (DPWH-6) confirmed the Panay-Guimaras-Negros Bridge project will proceed despite reports indicating the national government will be conducting an inventory of the “Build Build Build” infrastructure program.
In a radio interview with RMN DYHB-Bacolod yesterday morning, DPWH-6 director, Engr. Lea Delfinado, confirmed the project was not included among infrastructure projects ordered “shelved” due to financial and technical problems.
She added, the feasibility study conducted by Chinese state-owned consultancy firm CCCC Highway Consultants Co. Ltd. is complete as the results are now being reviewed and will soon be submitted to the National Economic Development Authority Investment Coordinating Council for approval.
Based on findings by the consultancy firm, one of the approved options will connect Panay and Guimaras by building a bridge from Leganes, Iloilo to Barangay Gitulio in Buenavista, Guimaras. For the Guimaras-Negros segment, the proposal will connect San Lorenzon, Guimaras to Barangay Canjusa in Pulupandan, Negros Occidental.
The budget for the project was most recently estimated at approximately P27 billion.
Earlier, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo, who was in Bacolod City over the weekend, said he was unsure if the Panay-Guimaras-Negros Bridge project had been “scratched.”
He noted, however, there were five bridge projects shelved by the government.
The spokesperson also pointed out, Economic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia and Department of Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi earlier revealed some infrastructure projects have encountered financial and technical problems./DGB, WDJ