The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA-6) has announced that pre-construction activities are now underway for the proposed Panay-Guimaras-Negros (PGN) Bridge project. The procurement of consulting services for the detailed engineering design is currently ongoing, with the submission and receipt of bids completed on March 16, 2023. The notice to proceed is expected to be issued in June of this year.
The detailed engineering design works will begin this year and continue until 2025, while the civil works are scheduled from 2025 to 2029. The detailed design will cover the salient features of the project, including the lighting, mechanical and electrical systems, which can be powered by solar energy, windmills, or other renewable sources, as well as conventional sources.
The PGN Bridge project, which spans 32.47 kilometers and will connect the islands of Panay, Guimaras, and Negros, was confirmed by the NEDA Board in January 2020. The loan agreement for the engineering services was signed on April 18, 2022. In July 2022, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources – Environmental Management Bureau (DENR-EMB) issued the Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) for the project. This was followed by the passing of the Regional Development Council (RDC) VI Resolution No. 33, Series of 2022 endorsing the funding and implementation of the project in October 2022.
The PGN Bridge project is divided into two sections: Section A (13 km Panay-Guimaras) and Section B (19.47 km Guimaras-Negros). The link between Section A (Panay-Guimaras) will consist of a sea-crossing bridge with an approximate length of 4.97 kilometers and a road approach with an approximate total length of 8.03 kilometers, with a combined length of 13 kilometers. The link between Section B (Guimaras-Negros), on the other hand, will consist of a sea-crossing bridge with an approximate length of 13.11 kilometers, road approaches with an approximate total length of 5.49 kilometers, road connectors measuring 0.87 kilometers, with a total length of 19.47 kilometers.
Once completed, the PGN Bridge will be the longest bridge in Western Visayas and will provide an important link for commerce, tourism, and other essential travel between Iloilo, Guimaras, and Bacolod.
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