By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The issues surrounding the Panay-Guimaras-Negros (PGN) bridge project should be resolved immediately to avoid delays, Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said yesterday morning.

According to Lacson, there were several issues with the project, such as the bidding for the detailed engineering design (DED) in which a contractor claimed that another construction firm was being favored.

The governor said it should be immediately resolved as the financier could lose interest in the project.

He also warned that it may even result in the funder deciding to pull out due to the controversy.

“I hope they [can resolve it] because that can further delay the project,” Lacson said.

He said that thus far the project is still a go.

Meanwhile, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) plans to start the DED activities for the PGN bridge project by next month.

The DPWH said over the weekend the project’s engineering services are covered by a loan from the Korean government worth $56.6 million.

The services will include the DED and the estimation of detailed construction cost; a review of the feasibility study and preliminary basic design; and procurement assistance.

In a report to Secretary Manuel Bonoan, DPWH Senior Undersecretary Emil Sadain, who is also in-charge of the flagship infrastructure projects, said the Korean government has expressed interest in financing the bridge project.

The PGN bridge is expected to cost around P187.53 billion and is targeted to be completed by 2030.

The project involves the construction of a 32.47-kilometer, four-lane, two sea-crossing bridges, including roads and interchanges, that will connect the islands of Panay, Guimaras and Negros, which will shorten the travel time of motorists and commuters.

The Guimaras-Negros linkage will comprise a sea-crossing bridge with an approximate length of 13.11 kilometers, road approaches with an approximate length of 5.49 kilometers and road connectors with a total length of 19.47 kilometers.

The project “intends to provide a safer, faster and more convenient transportation linkage between Panay, Guimaras and Negros through a connected land passageway” and is “seen to improve the highway trunk networks thus, allowing the flow of people, goods and services between the three islands,” a report from the National Economic and Development Authority said./DGB, WDJ