Gov’t bares plans to build bridges to connect Visayas and Luzon

The government on Thursday announced plans to construct at least eight major bridges to interconnect the islands of the Visayas region and link them to Luzon, at an estimated cost of P269.19 billion.

In an emailed statement, the Department of Finance (DOF) said the bridges to be constructed are in line with the government's aim for inclusive growth, especially in the Visayas region.

"These bridges will provide growth corridors and ensure that none of the major islands of the Visayas will be left behind in the country's race to progress," Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez said in a speech read for him by Undersecretary Bayani Agabin.

The eight planned bridges are:

• An 18.2-kilometer bridge to connect Samar to Luzon
• A 20-kilometer bridge connecting Leyte to the Mindanao Island
• The 5.7-kilometer Panay-Guimaras Bridge
• The 12.3-kilometer Guimaras-Negros inter-island linkages
• The 1-kilometer Bohol-Lapinig Island Bridge
• The 18.0-kilometer Lapinig Island to Leyte Bridge
• The 5.5-kilometer Cebu-Negros Link Bridge
• The 24.5-kilometer Cebu-to-Bohol Link Bridge

The eight proposed bridge projects, however, have still yet to be submitted to the Investment Coordination Committee (ICC) of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA).

"Our infrastructure investments, estimated at $170 billion between now and 2022, have very high multiplier effects," Dominguez said.

"By undertaking these thoroughly studied strategic projects, we will stimulate economic activity. Jobs and opportunities will be created, and we are confident we can bring down poverty incidence to only 14 percent by 2022," he added.

Under the Build, Build, Build program, the government plans to spend over P8 trillion until 2022, largely funded by government revenues from taxes.

This year alone, the Philippines plans to roll out 76 big-ticket projects cumulatively valued at $35.5 billion or P1.1 trillion. — BM, GMA News