Senator Grace Poe has asked Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Manuel M. Bonoan to prioritze inter-regional connectivity projects to allow seamless travel and help bring down costs of transporting goods.
Poe issued the statement in today’s deliberation on the ad interim appointment of Bonoan by the Commission on Appointments (CA) of which the senator is a member. Bonoan’s appointment was later on confirmed by the bicameral body during its plenary session held at the Senate session hall.
“I fully support your nomination, Secretary Bonoan. I've heard very good feedback regarding your work ethic and also how you conducted yourself, your moral character. I just want to know for the record, Mr. Secretary, what do you think are the big-ticket projects that you would like to achieve during this administration,” Poe said.
As an archipelago of more than 7,000 islands, she said having a road network is vital to facilitate efficient movement of people and goods from one province to another. This could lead to increased economic activities in the regions and development.
The lady lawmaker cited specific infrastructure projects such as the linkage between the provinces of Iloilo and Guimaras, and another that would connect Batangas to Mindoro.
“Is there anything in the pipeline that would be of that magnitude?,” Poe asked Bonoan.
Bonoan said the detailed engineering for the 37-kilometer Cavite-Mariveles, Bataan bridge project is now 70 percent complete and construction would start in mid-2023. It is funded by the Official Development Assistance (ODA) of the Asian Development Bank (ADB).
The DPWH chief said that a number of inter-island connectivity projects are also being lined up.
Bonoan pointed out that the Iloilo-Guimaras network and the Guimaras to Pulupandan in Negros project are in the. preparation stages.
he added that the first phase of the project would be under the official development assistance (ODA) of Korean Eximbank.
The construction of the 3.5-km. Panguil Bay Bridge is ongoing and is expected to shorten travel distance from Lanao del Norte to Misamis Occidental.
In Metro Manila, Bonoan said that discussion for ODA are ongoing for the construction of six bridges that would cross Pasig River in a bid to provide better efficiency in transportation.
Poe expressed confidence that DPWH projects would come to completion to make transportation more efficient for the people, especially those in the provinces.
“No province should remain an island and be left behind in the path to progress,” Poe said.
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