Feasibility Study on Visayan Interisland Bridges Underway

Bacolod City (PNA) — A feasibility study for the construction of bridges that will connect the Visayan Islands will be undertaken by a foreign firm, said Regional Director Ro-Ann Bacal of the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) in Western Visayas.

Bacal, who was here Wednesday for the second meeting of the Regional Development Committee (RDCom)-Visayas, said that Korean EximBank, an export-credit agency providing loans and financing to mega projects, will spearhead the feasibility study.

She said that they have initially talked with Secretary Rogelio Singson of the Department of Public Works and Highways regarding the projects.

There have been previous studies on the proposed Panay-Negros, Guimaras-Negros, and Bohol-Cebu bridges, Bacal said.

“I think there will be a comprehensive study to identify (the sites). There is a process with the Korean EximBank to study. It’s really up to them. They are going to allocate funds for the study. It’s a grant,” the NEDA-6 official said.

She added that the foreign bank approves the fund and the Philippine government will then approve the terms of references for the conduct of the feasibility study. There is schedule yet on when the study will start and be completed.

“Then, we are going to contract the study. There is going to be a procurement process. We are looking at the Eastern, Western, Central and Negros Island Region. The whole Visayas. The study of the connectivity of the Visayas through bridges,” Bacal said.

She said that Negros Occidental Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr., when he was still the Regional Development Council-6 chairman, had pushed for the Negros-Panay bridge to fasttrack economic growth in Negros and Panay Islands.

Meanwhile, Bacal served as acting chairperson of RDC-6 after Marañon relinquished his post due to the creation of NIR, which separated Negros Occidental from Western Visayas. (PNA) NLG/MPE