Council pushes PGN bridges study

BACOLOD City – The Negros Occidental Provincial Development Council (PDC) approved a resolution endorsing the conduct of a feasibility study on the proposed Panay-Guimaras-Negros (PGN) Island Bridges Project during its second-quarter meeting.

Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr. and Vice Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson led the meeting at the Capitol Social Hall here.

Engr. Severo Ruiz, officer-in-charge of the Plans and Designs Division of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)-6, made a presentation of the PGN Island Bridges Project, which is undergoing  feasibility study by CCC Highway Consultants Co., Ltd. of the Peoples Republic of China.

The study started in November 2018 and is expected to be completed in January 2020.

He said the PGN Project will connect the major islands of Panay, Guimaras, and Negros. The two proposed bridges to be constructed are Panay-Guimaras Bridge and Guimaras-Negros Island Bridge.

As part of preparations for the bridges, some road sections in Guimaras Island, known as the Guimaras Cross Island Roads were already developed and paved.

The PDC also approved various programs and projects for inclusion in the 2019 Annual Investment program totaling P179,445,023.

It also approved the realignment of the 20 percent Provincial Development Fund for 2019 amounting to P120 million.

In his message, Gov. Marañon urged the PDC members to continue to cooperate and give their full support to the administration of incoming governor, Eugenio Jose Lacson, as he wished more progress for the province.

“I would like to thank everyone, the local officials, and all the PDC members for working with me in making this province greater,” he said. (Capitol News)