Poe urges study on construction of Guimaras-Iloilo-NegOcc bridge

Senator Grace Poe on Wednesday filed a resolution to study the construction of a bridge that would connect the provinces of Iloilo, Guimaras, and Negros Occidental amid the deadly capsize of three motorized bancas in the Iloilo-Guimaras Strait last Saturday.

In Resolution 75, Poe urged the Senate public works committee to study the proposed Guimaras-Iloilo-Negros Occidental project, its financial costs, and any long-term economic benefits to the provinces of Western Visayas.

“The lack of a bridge connecting the island of Guimaras has deterred its economy to reach its full potential and has endangered the lives of residents as well since boat trips are at the mercy of the weather,” she said.

She said that plans for the Guimaras-Iloilo-Negros Occidental bridge have existed since at least the 1990s, but have never pushed through.

“There is a need to revive the Guimaras-Iloilo-Negros Occidental project because it will clearly benefit all of the provinces involved,” she said.

Poe said that based on news articles, a study by the Department of Public Works and Highways in 2010 estimated that the Guimaras-Iloilo-Negros bridge would cost P28.496 billion and span 13.16 kilometers.

This would include a 3.6-kilometer segment connecting Panay Island to Guimaras, at a cost of P9.438 billion; and a 9.56-kilometer segment connecting Guimaras and Negros Island at a cost of P19.08 billion.

According to the Philippine Coast Guard on Sunday, the total death toll from the three separate capsizes was 31. 

The motorized, wooden-hulled boats were carrying a total 96 passengers and crew when harsh weather conditions caused the vessels to overturn. — BM, GMA News