DEPARTMENT of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) 7 Director Ador Canlas yesterday said domestic and international tourists in Cebu and Bohol can benefit from the planned P500-million bridge to Panglao International Airport.

Canlas said DPWH is now on final review for the Tagbilaran-Panglao Offshore Bridge and they were able to secure a P500-million fund for the project, which includes the road-right-of-way (RROW) and civil works.

“This is an offshore bridge that will touch from Tagbilaran City Port to connect to Panglao and complement the Panglao International Airport, which will be formally opened this year so that we will widen all roads connecting to the airport,” Canlas said.

He said the P500 million is already incorporated in the 2018 General Appropriations Act (GAA). He hopes to implement the offshore bridge as early as possible.

Canlas added that tourists coming from Cebu can go straight to Panglao’s tourist areas via the offshore bridge upon disembarking from fastcrafts or passenger vessels.

He also said that tourists from Manila who will take a plane to Panglao may also use the offshore bridge in going to Tagbilaran City Port to visit Cebu, and without passing through Bohol’s regular traffic.

Canlas said that with the offshore bridge, the Panglao International Airport can also complement the Mactan Cebu International Airport (MCIA) in the event of an emergency.

“There will be a convenient way to travel between Cebu and Panglao once the offshore bridge will be completed,” Canlas said. (EOB)