DPWH to Complete PGN Bridge Design by September

By Rjay Zuriaga Castor

The Department of Public Works and Highways is set to complete the detailed engineering design of the 32.47-kilometer Panay-Guimaras-Negros (PGN) Island Bridges Project by September this year.

Jessica Andaya, chief of DPWH Road Management Cluster 1, said the design is now 82% complete.

“So next year we are expected to begin the construction of Section A covering Panay and Guimaras,” she said.

“Section B covers Guimaras and Negros.”

DPWH Central Office officials paid a courtesy visit to Bago City Mayor Marina “Mayette” Javellana-Yao in Negros Occidental on July 4.

Also present were project consultants Kang Kongkyu and Shin Kyungha.

Andaya said the initial site for the project’s field office has been identified and is awaiting approval from the local government.

DPWH confirmed that the Negros landing will connect to the Negros South Road in Bago City.

This national highway links multiple areas in Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental, boosting interprovincial connectivity.

Section A connects Panay Island to Guimaras Island and spans 13 kilometers, including a 4.97-kilometer sea crossing.

Section B connects Guimaras Island to Negros Island.

In March, then-Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas announced that construction of the PGN Bridge is expected to begin in July 2026.

The loan agreement for civil works is targeted for signing in September 2025.

Treñas said the bridge is projected for completion and opening by June 2028.

The PGN Bridge has an estimated total cost of PHP189 billion.

Section A is projected to cost PHP57 billion, while civil works for Section B are estimated at PHP109.8 billion.

The Export-Import Bank of Korea is expected to fund Section A.

In April 2022, the Philippine government signed a loan agreement with KEXIM to finance engineering services for the project, including preliminary and detailed design and procurement assistance.