• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson is optimistic that the construction of Guimaras – Negros bridge (Section B) segment of the Panay-Guimaras-Negros Island (PGN) Bridges project will start in 2027, after a meeting with National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) Secretary Arsenio Balisacan.
Lacson, who met with Balisacan during the inauguration and opening of NEDA regional office at the Carlos Hilado Memorial State University (CHMSU) Alijis campus in Bacolod City on March 10, said they were assured that the PGN Bridges is among the priority infrastructure projects of the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
On Monday, Balisacan visited the entry and exit point of the PGN project in Pulupandan, Negros Occidental.
The Panay-Guimaras (Section A) segment has a total length of 13.616 kilometers, while the Guimaras to Negros (Section B) stretches 19.47 kilometers.
Lacson said they were told by Balisacan of a little delay on the completion of the detailed engineering design (DED) for the Iloilo – Guimaras section, citing a need for restudy.
“They have to dig deeper, from 75 meters to 150 meters,” the governor disclosed.
But Lacson said they were told by Balisacan that once the Iloilo – Guimaras segment DED completed, six months after, the Guimaras – Negros segment DED will follow.
The entire PGN project includes 32.47 kilometers of sea-crossing bridges, connecting roads, and interchanges.
Once completed, the project is expected to reduce travel time between Panay, Guimaras, and Negros Islands from three to four hours to under an hour.*
