In a press report, NEDA 6 said the project will start once the Detailed Engineering Design (DED) is completed on schedule and approved for funding and implementation by the Investment Coordination Committee (ICC) and the NEDA Board.

The project has received all the required local endorsements of the provincial, municipal and city councils of all affected areas.

Consequently, the Regional Development Council (RDC) VI has passed Resolution No. 33, series of 2022, endorsing the funding and implementation of the project during its third quarter RDC VI full council meeting on October 13, 2022 in Bacolod City.

The Department of Public Works and Highways, as the project’s implementing agency, has started the bidding process for the DED with the submission and receipt of proposals scheduled this February and the notice to proceed in May 2023. The duration of DED preparation is 18 months.