The DPWH, together with the consultants, already met with the concerned provincial and local government units last month. These include the areas where the project will be erected, such as the Provincial Government of Iloilo, the City Government of Iloilo, and the municipality of Leganes on the Panay side, the Guimaras Provincial Government together with the LGUs of Buenavista and San Lorenzo, and the Provincial Government of Negros Occidental with the Bacolod City government and LGU Pulupandan on the Negros side.
“All the executives expressed their full support for the project and committed to extend the necessary assistance to expedite the completion of the project,” the project brief stated.
Further, the mobilization of experts and equipment is ongoing, while the topographical and bathymetrical survey teams are expected to be deployed this February.
Meanwhile, Oropel also assured that funds were allotted for the affected areas in the construction of the project.
“The total budget for the Panay-Guimaras-Negros bridges is P187 billion, and P20 billion of that is allocated for the acquisition of the road right of way,” he said. (AAL/FRG/PIA6)