BRIDGE OF PROMISES: Presidential bets vow to realize Panay-Guimaras-Negros Bridge

By Joseph B.A. Marzan and Francis Allan L. Angelo

The top two presidential bets in the May 2022 elections vowed to realize the long-delayed bridge that will connect Panay-Guimaras-Negros Islands.

On Saturday, Vice President Leni Robredo promised to supporters in Guimaras that she would start work on the interisland bridge.

Addressing a crowd of “Kakampinks” in her grand rally at the Guimaras Provincial Gym in Jordan town, Robredo said that it would be “life-changing” for the island province if the project was to be continued.

She said the project is in line with her campaign tagline “Gobyernong Tapat, Angat Buhay Lahat” (Honest Government, All Lives Uplifted).

“In my [Feb. 25] Iloilo grand rally I said that if you support me [in the 2022 elections], if we are to be given the chance, I will make sure that the [Panay-Guimaras-Negros Bridge]. That has been studied. [The plan] has been sleeping in the last six years, but we will make sure that it will finally proceed because it will be life-changing especially for Guimaras,” Robredo said in her speech.

The 33-kilometer Panay-Guimaras-Negros Bridge was announced in 2017 and has been mulled to start construction until last year, when the Bases Conversion and Development Authority chief Vince Dizon admitted to Senator Franklin Drilon that the bridge was still in “feasibility stage”.

Korean state-run finance firm Export-Import Bank in December 2021 expressed its interest to finance the engineering services of the bridge pending its feasibility study and detailed engineering design.

In her speech, Robredo also recalled the times she went to the island in her current term to initiate projects on the island and grieve with the families of those who suffered in the August 2019 boat tragedy.

The Office of the Vice President has Angat Buhay projects, including a motorized patrol boat and a shredder for vegetable farmers in Sibunag town, and a Community Learning Hub in Jordan to cater to learners with difficulties in access to educational instructions and materials amid the pandemic.

“I remember planting a coconut tree in Sibunag. I’m not sure if the tree I planted grew but I hope it did because that’s the symbol of my love for [Guimaras],” she said.

“My next trip [to Jordan] was a bit said because it was just after the accident where many died. That was the last time that I went here, and I have planned to come here many times. It’s good that today I finally went through with my plan to visit Guimaras. In my every visit I would feel that your province is really beautiful,” she added.

Robredo is the first presidential candidate of the 2022 elections to visit the island for the campaign period, fresh from her whirlwind Iloilo leg on Friday, Feb. 25.

She was joined during the grand rally by Guimaras Governor Samuel Gumarin, Vice Governor John Edward Gando, lone district Representative Lucille Nava, former governor Rahman Nava, and Nueva Valencia town Mayor Emmanuel Galila who is one of the leaders of the Robredo campaign in the island province.

Also present were senatorial candidate and labor leader Sonny Matula, as well as lawyer Dino De Leon, who proxied in behalf of detained re-electionist Senator Leila De Lima.

‘BUILD, BUILD, BUILD LEGACY’

Regardless of the election results in May 2022, presidential bet Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. vowed to pursue the construction of the long–planned bridge that would link Iloilo, Guimaras, and Negros Occidental which are regarded as Robredo bailiwicks.

Marcos made the pledge during the UniTeam’s rally at the Tamasak Arena, Barotac Nuevo on Feb 24, 2022.

The bridge has been a dream project of Iloilo Sen. Frank Drilon, an ally of Marcos’ main rival, Vice President Leni Robredo.

“Kailangan po nating ipagpatuloy ang sinimulan ni Pangulong Duterte na ‘Build, Build, Build’ program sa imprastraktura. Pinag-uusapan nga namin kanina kung papaano ang gagawin para matuloy na ‘yung tulay na manggagaling sa Iloilo hanggang Guimaras hanggang sa Negros. Para mabuksan na natin at dumami ang economic activity dito,” Marcos told the crowd in Barotac Nuevo.

First proposed in 2017, the bridge will be the longest in Western Visayas, and one of the longest bridges in the country, which will span 32 kilometers and will be divided into two components — the 13-kilometer Panay-Guimaras link, and the Guimaras-Negros link that spans 19.47 kilometers.

“Isa ‘yun sa mga project na pino-propose at kailangan pag-aralan kasi hindi naman gobyerno ang magbabayad niyan. At kung hihingi tayo ng tulong sa ibang lugar kailangan naman maipakita natin sa kanila ang ganansya. Isa ito sa laging napag-uusapan when it comes to our infrastructure development,” he told the local media.

Marcos vowed to pursue the proposed bridge to open up the economy, in connection with his consultations with the Ilonggos on how to help the sugar industry.

The Department of Public Works and Highways confirmed that engineering services for the bridge will take place, with financial support from the South Korean government, particularly the Export-Import Bank of Korea.

Marcos also emphasized his commitment to pursue the incumbent government’s “Build, Build, Build” infrastructure program, which he said will not only hasten the economy but will also produce jobs.

Marcos said his desire to pursue the ambitious project was also aligned with his call for unity, that his vision is profoundly rooted on the idea that every Filipino is needed for the country to achieve its goal.

“Siguro naman kahit hindi tayo nagkakasundo sa pulitika magkakasundo tayo sa adhikain na pagandahin ang Pilipinas. Doon tayo magsimula. Gawin natin itong tuntungan para maabot ang ating nagkakaisang pangarap na iahon ang bayan mula sa pagkakalugmok nito. Tanging ang pagkakaisa lamang ang ating maaaring asahan,” he said.