By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said the recent approval of the proposed Panay-Guimaras-Negros Bridge by the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) will be a “big boost to the economy to the province.”
“Definitely a positive development for Negros Occidental,” the governor said. “The challenge now is funding.”
“Let us wait for further development,” he added.
During a press conference last Friday, NEDA officials announced their Investment Coordination Committee approved the bridge project as one of 12 major projects.
When asked how the project will affect the businesses and jobs dependent on the local shipping industry and fast craft vessels, the governor said they will have to “figure it out.”
Based on the data from the Department of Public Works and Highways-Region VI, the Panay-Guimaras segment will be composed of a 13.10-kilometer road, including a 4.80-kilometer bridge, and will start from Barangay Gua-an in Leganes, Iloilo, and end in Buenavista’s Barangay Getulio in Guimaras. Meanwhile, the Guimaras-Negros stretch, which will cover 17.40 kilometers, with a 12.50-kilometer bridge, has been recommended to start in Barangay M. Chavez in San Lorenzo, Guimaras and end in Pulupandan’s Barangay Canjusa in Negros Occidental.
The two bridges are projected to stretch 17.30 kilometers, while the total project will span 30.50 kilometers./DGB, WDJ