The highly anticipated Panay-Guimaras-Negros Island Bridges
Project is set to break ground in the second half of 2025, marking a
significant milestone in the Philippines' infrastructure development. This
ambitious project, comprising the Panay-Guimaras Bridge (Section A) and the
Guimaras-Negros Bridge (Section B), aims to enhance connectivity and foster
economic growth across the islands of Panay, Guimaras, and Negros.
During a press conference on September 28, 2024, Sanny Boy
Oropel, Director of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in
Western Visayas, confirmed the timeline for the project. "Construction of
Section A will commence in the second semester of 2025, with completion
expected by June 2028," Oropel stated. The Panay-Guimaras Bridge will span
13.616 kilometers, while the Guimaras-Negros Bridge will stretch 19.470
kilometers, totaling 33.086 kilometers of sea-crossing infrastructure.
The project, estimated to cost ₱167.5 billion, will link the
provinces of Iloilo, Guimaras, and Negros Occidental. Former Senator Franklin
Drilon, who attended the press conference, provided a detailed cost breakdown:
"The Panay-Guimaras portion will require ₱57 billion for civil works,
while the Guimaras-Negros segment is projected at ₱109.8 billion, including
detailed engineering design and construction."
Funding for the project will be provided by the
Export-Import Bank of Korea (Korea Eximbank), the same financier behind the
Jalaur River Multi-Purpose Project Stage II (JRMP II). Drilon noted that Korean
contractors are expected to play a significant role in the construction
process, given the involvement of Korean funding.
Drilon, who championed the project during his Senate tenure,
expressed mixed emotions about its progress. "I am both sad and happy. Sad
because the project faced delays due to design issues, but happy that it is
finally moving forward. This is one of the last projects I sponsored, and I am
optimistic it will be completed," he said.
The detailed engineering design for the Panay-Guimaras
Bridge has been finalized and will be submitted in December 2024. Construction
of the Guimaras-Negros Bridge will follow the completion of Section A, with a
tentative start date in the second half of 2028.
Historical Context and Evolution of the Project
The idea of connecting Panay, Guimaras, and Negros through
bridges dates back to the administration of President Corazon Aquino
(1986–1992). In 1999, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)
proposed a master plan for two bridges, each spanning 20.6 kilometers, to link
the islands. However, the project remained on the drawing board due to
budgetary constraints.
In 2013, an alternative proposal emerged, suggesting a
direct 14.5-kilometer bridge between Banate, Iloilo, and E.B. Magalona, Negros
Occidental, bypassing Guimaras. This plan, however, did not materialize.
The current iteration of the project gained traction under
President Rodrigo Duterte's "Build! Build! Build!" program, initially
with Chinese funding. However, after Chinese investors withdrew in 2020, the
Philippine government turned to South Korea for support. By May 2022, a new
feasibility study was conducted by a consortium of South Korean firms,
including Yooshin Engineering, Kyong-Ho Engineering and Architects, Dohwa
Engineering, Soosung Engineering, and Dasan Consultants.
Project Scope and Economic Impact
The Panay-Guimaras-Negros Island Bridges will significantly
reduce travel time between the islands, fostering economic development and
tourism in the Western Visayas region. The improved connectivity is expected to
attract investments, boost commerce, and enhance the movement of goods and
people.
The project is divided into two sections:
- Section
A (Panay-Guimaras): Spanning 13 kilometers, this segment will
connect Leganes, Iloilo, to Buenavista, Guimaras.
- Section
B (Guimaras-Negros): Covering 19.47 kilometers, this section will
link San Lorenzo, Guimaras, to Pulupandan, Negros Occidental.
Including connecting roads, the entire network will stretch
approximately 32 kilometers, with an estimated total cost of ₱189 billion.
Looking Ahead
With construction set to begin in 2025, the
Panay-Guimaras-Negros Island Bridges Project represents a transformative step
toward regional integration and economic progress. Once completed, it will
stand as a testament to the Philippines' commitment to infrastructure
development and its vision for a more connected and prosperous future.
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