Lawmaker asks NEDA to transfer Guimaras-Negros bridge’s approach

By Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD City – Rep. Juliet Ferrer (4th district, Negros Occ.) asked the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) to consider moving the Negros end of the Panay-Guimaras-Negros bridge to either Valladolid or Bago instead of Pulupandan.

Vice Governor Jeffrey Ferrer said the request was contained in a resolution filed by his wife at the House of Representatives.

The vice governor said the resolution supports the stand of the provincial government asking NEDA to explore Valladolid and Bago City for the proposed bridge.

He said the resolution has already been referred to the Committee on Public Works for hearing.

Earlier, the Provincial Development Council of Negros Occidental passed a resolution asking the NEDA to consider areas other than Pulupandan.

But NEDA has yet to respond to the request.

The vice governor also said that they have a feasibility study, and a position paper requesting NEDA to move the Negros end of the bridge to Valladolid or Bago.

He said they will push for Valladolid, as NEDA reported that mangrove areas in Bago City will be affected by the construction of the P200-billion bridge.

The vice governor further said that instead of paying the right of way for privately-owned properties in Pulupandan, the money can be used in the construction of a reclamation area in Valladolid.

He also said that there is no problem with Valladolid since the area for the proposed project is government properties

If the bridge program pushes through in Valladolid, the creation of an economic zone may follow, which will benefit not only Valladolid, but all its neighboring areas, including Pulupandan.