Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson yesterday directed the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) to listen and consider the positions expressed by officials from the Negros Occidental fourth congressional district regarding the proposed Panay-Guimaras-Negros Bridge.
Last December, the governor revealed the Provincial Development Council (PDC) devised a resolution regarding locations for the bridge project but the government agency never called on the provincial government on the matter. He noted, “Since the area is within the jurisdiction of the fourth district then their concern should be taken into consideration.”
“After the December PDC resolution, NEDA should have called on us and discussed the matter,” Lacson explained.
It was earlier reported, the council announced they would be deferring the request by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to endorse the feasibility study on the Panay-Guimaras-Negros Bridge to the Regional Development Council. The governor pointed out, they decided not to endorse the request until concerns forwarded by council members were addressed.
One of the concerns was raised by Vice Governor Jeffrey Ferrer, who earlier submitted a position paper to NEDA. In the paper, he argued the Guimaras-Negros bridge segment should not connect to Pulupandan and suggested Valladolid or Bago City instead.
Last June, the council also recommended surveyors to consider other possible routes aside from Pulupandan. Apart from the said locales, they also recommended Victorias City and EB Magalona, which are located in the third congressional district.
Based on the project profile, the first segment of the bridge will connect Leganes, Iloilo to Buenavista, Guimaras; while second is projected to link San Lorenzo, Guimaras to Pulupandan, Negros Occidental.
As part of the construction preparations, DPWH has already begun developing road sections in Guimaras.
The feasibility study was conducted by Chinese state-owned consultancy firm CCCC Highway Consultants Co. Ltd./DGB, WDJ