NEGROS Occidental Vice Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said the feasibility study for the construction of the Negros-Guimaras-Panay Bridge is a positive development.

But he said the realization of the project will not happen during the term of President Rodrigo Duterte.

“The feasibility study alone would take years and the sourcing of funds would also take a certain period,” Lacson said.

“We do hope that they will determine that the project is feasible,” he added.

The implementation agreement on the feasibility study for the Panay-Guimaras-Negros Bridge project is among the 29 agreements signed between the Philippines and China during the first state visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping to the country.

The Duterte administration plans to build eight major bridges, with an estimated total cost of P269.19 billion, including the Guimaras-Negros inter-island linkage, and Panay-Guimaras bridge as part of the government’s massive infrastructure build-up, and to create more jobs outside Metro Manila.

The estimated cost for Guimaras to Negros stretch is P50 billion while Panay to Guimaras is estimated to cost about P10 billion.

Provincial Planning and Development Coordinator Ma. Lina Sanogal said there have been studies made before, and this new development is very much welcome to the province.

She said this would be a big boost to the economy of the three islands. (TDE)