GOVERNOR Eugenio Jose Lacson said Monday, February 17, that the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) should listen and consider the position of the officials of the Fourth District regarding the Negros-Panay Bridge Project.
Lacson also revealed that in December 2019, the Provincial Development Council has already come up with a resolution to consider other areas for the Negros segment of the bridge but the agency officials did not call on the Provincial Government to hear their side.
Lacson said since the area is within the jurisdiction of the Fourth District, then their concern should be taken into consideration.
After the December PDC resolution, Neda should have called on us and discuss the matter with us, Lacson pointed out.
Lacson said they will touch base with Neda to discuss the possibility of altering the design of the bridge.
The PDC has deferred the request of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to endorse the feasibility study for the Panay-Guimaras-Negros Bridge to the Regional Development Council.
Lacson pointed out they have decided not to endorse the request until all of the concerns forwarded by the council members were answered.
One of the concerns raised in the project was made by Vice Governor Jeffrey Ferrer, who has submitted a position paper to Neda.
Ferrer pointed out in his position paper that the Guimaras-Negros bridge segment should either be placed in the town of Valladolid or Bago City instead of Pulupandan.
Based on a project profile, the first segment of the bridge will connect Leganes, Iloilo to Buenavista, Guimaras; while second segment is expected to link San Lorenzo, Guimaras to Pulupandan, Negros Occidental.
As part of the construction preparations, the DPWH has already begun developing road sections in Guimaras.
The feasibility study was conducted by Chinese state-owned consultancy firm CCCC Highway Consultants Co. Ltd.