• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The Panay Guimaras Negros (PGN) Island Bridges is among the flagship major infrastructure programs of the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., meant to further spur the economic vibrance of the country.
During the second State of the Nation Address (SONA), President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. reported that that inter-island bridge programs, notably the 32-kilometer PGN Island Bridges, is being eyed to be completed under the Mega bridge program.
To sum, Marcos said his administration plans to construct 12 bridges totaling 90 kilometers.
Marcos Jr. said that the infrastructure spending shall be around 5 to 6 percent of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP), with majority allocated to physical connectivity.
“Physical connectivity infrastructure such as roads, bridges, seaports, airports, and mass transport, accounts for 83 percent of the program,” he said.
These infrastructures are also targeted to be inter-modal or interconnected. “Roads, bridges, and mass transport systems will be interconnected. This network will provide access and passage to vital and bustling economic markets, such as agriculture hubs, tourism sites, and key business districts,” he added.
Marcos mentioned how it shall contribute to the persistent economic growth of the Philippines. “The underlying logic to our infrastructure development is economic efficiency. We are opening up all gateways to mobilize goods and services at less cost and in less time, and ultimately, to drive the economy,” the Chief Executive further said.*with PNA report
