By JEN BAYLON
The construction of the Guimaras-Negros Bridge, a key component of the Panay-Guimaras-Negros (PGN) Island Bridges Project, may face slight delays due to technical adjustments in the Panay-Guimaras Bridge’s detailed engineering design (DED), the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) said.
NEDA Secretary Arsenio Balisacan revealed this following his visit to Negros Occidental’s Pulupandan town, the proposed landing site for the Guimaras-Negros Bridge, on Tuesday, March 11.
Balisacan said there was a slight delay in the Panay-Guimaras Bridge’s DED, Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said.
He explained that the bridge segment requires deeper drilling for its foundation — from an initial depth of 75 meters to 150 meters — necessitating a restudy of its engineering design.
“Balisacan assured us that once construction starts on the Panay-Guimaras Bridge, about six months later, the detailed engineering for Negros-Guimaras will follow,” Lacson stated.
“This remains a priority project of the national government,” he added.
Lacson expressed optimism that construction of the Guimaras-Negros Bridge could start by late 2026 or early 2027.
During his visit to Bacolod City for the inauguration of the NEDA-Negros Island Region office at the Carlos Hilado Memorial State University Alijis campus in Bacolod City, Balisacan also inspected major infrastructure projects, including the Bacolod-Negros Occidental Economic Highway.
Balisacan also emphasized the government’s commitment to improving regional connectivity and economic growth through transformative infrastructure projects like the PGN bridges.
Despite delays caused by technical complexities and rebidding processes for the DED, local officials remain hopeful about the project’s realization.
The PGN Bridge Project spans a total route of 32.47 kilometers, which is divided into two sections: the 13-kilometer Panay-Guimaras Bridge (Section A) and the 19.47-kilometer Guimaras-Negros Bridge (Section B).
The interim DED for the Panay-Guimaras Bridge was already submitted to the NEDA late last year, while the DED for the Section B segment will continue until its target completion period at the end of December 2025.
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 PGN bridge is expected to cost around P187.53 billion and is targeted to be completed by 2030.
The two bridges are expected to reduce the travel time of commuters and motorists and ease the transport of goods from Panay to Negros Island through ferries or roll-on/roll-off from three to four hours to just less than one hour.
With both national and local governments prioritizing these bridges, they are expected to transform travel and commerce between Panay, Guimaras and Negros islands once completed.
The PGN bridges are part of President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.’s “Build Better More” infrastructure program, which aims to enhance transportation and connectivity across Western Visayas.
The project has received funding support from South Korea’s Export-Import Bank, and is seen as a critical step toward unlocking economic opportunities in the region./JB, WDJ