THE Iloilo Provincial Development Council (PDC) passed a resolution endorsing the Panay-Guimaras-Negros bridge to the National Government for funding and implementation.
The resolution was approved during the PDC meeting presided by Governor Arthur Defensor Jr. on September 23 at Casa Real de Iloilo.
Provincial Planning and Development Office head Mario Nillos said the resolution of endorsement will be forwarded to the Regional Development Council.
He said they are just waiting for the letter request and project summary from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)-Western Visayas.
"The stand of the PDC is that the Panay-Guimaras-Negros bridge is for the good of the people of the province so we endorsed it to RDC for funding and implementation," he said.
Nillos said it will be up to President Rodrigo Duterte to decide on the funding of the project, whether it will be through public-private partnership, loan, or government funding.
DPWH-Western Visayas planning design Engineer Claudio Cabrias Jr. updated the council of the project status.
Cabrias said the feasibility study, which is now being conducted by China Communications Construction Company Ltd., will be completed by January 2020.
"The feasibility study is now 95 percent near completion," he said.
The bridge will start in Barangay Gua-an, Leganes, Iloilo and will connect to Barangay Getulio, Buenavista, Guimaras. From Guimaras, it will connect to Barangay Tapong, Pulupandan, Negros Occidental. (PR)