Guv hopeful that PGN bridge is realized soon

By Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD City – Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson is optimistic that the Panay-Guimaras-Negros (PGN) bridge will be realized during the term of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

“It is highly possible it will materialize within the current administration considering the impact of such a project within the region,” Lacson told reporters here.

He further said that “anytime you connect islands, it will have positive results.”

“Yes, we are very hopeful that finally, it will happen,” Lacson said, adding that the preparations are there, the study, the design “it is all there, it just needs the final launch.”

When asked whether it would affect the plan for the re-establishment of Negros Island Region (NIR) considering that it will ease travel to Iloilo where the regional offices are located, Lacson said “while it will make travel to Panay easier, still to manage our own island is important considering that we share the same boundaries, so I think it is best we have our own region and hopefully this region will have only three provinces, it will be more manageable, it will be easier to talk.”

Earlier, National Economic Development Authority (NEDA)-6 director Arecio Casing Jr., said the bidding for the construction of the 32.47-kilometer Panay-Guimaras-Negros (PGN) mega bridge might open in March 2023.

Previous reports stated that two groups have qualified to submit their bids – Yoshin Co. and Sambo Engineering and Construction Co.

Casing added in an interview with Radyo Pilipinas Iloilo that they are waiting for the detailed engineering design (DED) of the PGN Bridge that will be submitted by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Project Management Office also in March.

Casing confirmed that all processes that should be completed before the start of the construction, such as the DED, review of designs, and fund appropriation, would be conducted by the DPWH.