Finally! The long anticipated Panay-Guimaras-Negros (PGN) Island Bridges Project that will offer a safer, faster, more convenient land travel to residents and tourists of the Western Visayas island provinces have been given a green light by the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA).
NEDA announced on January 29, 2020, that the Investment Coordination Committee (ICC) has approved the construction of the PhP 189.53 billion PGN Island Bridges Project connecting the three islands funded through the Official Development Assistance (ODA).
The huge project involves the construction of a 32.47-km, four-lane, and two sea-crossing bridges, including its connecting roads and interchanges that will connect the three Western Visayas island provinces of Panay, Guimaras, and Negros.
Once finished, the connected land passageway project is expected to provide a safer and faster travel instead of the usual sea travel between the islands.
The PGN Island Bridges project will also allow easier access and will open a network of more convenient transportation linkage that can transform the flow of people, goods and services between the three islands of Panay (comprising Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Iloilo provinces), Guimaras, and Negros (Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental).
The project has been long been awaited by the residents of the island provinces. Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia said of the project, “These are the building blocks of our people’s dreams and aspirations….. to ease congestion and spread growth throughout the country”.
Another recently approved bridge project is the Bataan-Cavite Mega Bridge over Manila Bay waters that is set to ease traffic going to Northern Luzon.
The Kalibo Bridge, touted the longest bridge in Western Visayas opened in January in Aklan and cut travel time to Boracay Island from the current 90 minutes to 45 minutes.
The soon-to-be completed New Clark City’s Sacobia Bridge connecting to other Clark districts that runs across Sacobia River is expected to cut travel time to 15 minutes.
SEND CHEERS in the comments below to the people of Panay, Guimaras, and Negros for this upcoming bridge passageway that offers safer, faster, and more convenient travel between islands!
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