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CEBU, Philippines - Although the Bohol Provincial government has expressed support for the possible realization of the “Cebu-Bohol Friendship Bridge,” but it has to wait for the result of the feasibility study before pushing with the project.
Bohol Governor Edgar M. Chatto said that the creation of the bridge could boost productivity and partnership between Cebu and Bohol as “these two provinces should go together.”
While other sectors expressed fear that when the “friendship bridge” will be realized some sectors in the industry, such as shipping, will be affected.
Chatto, said it is natural that some industries will be affected by the development, ‘they should be ready to re-plan and adjust their businesses.”
According to Chatto, while the project is good, the Bohol government is not promising financial support, saying “Bohol is not a rich province, that can make this project a reality. We will leave the study come up with its own.”
At present, the Governor said the province is busy in pushing the realization of its airport project on Panglao Island, together with other infrastructure projects to boost its tourism sector.
Last year, the Bohol Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) announced that it started a US$3 million feasibility study for the Cebu-Bohol-Friendship Bridge.
Noris Oculam, former president of BCCI earlier said that the proposed “friendship bridge” is “on track” since a foreign agency has supported the project, through the funding of feasibility study.
According to Chatto, Bohol government is also anticipating the result of the study, so it would draw up plans for the project’s realization, together with other sectors.
According to Oculam the Economic Development Coopepration Fund (EDCF) of Korea has already committed about the US$3 million grant for the feasibility study.
“The Regional Development Council in Central Visayas has already asked the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to endorse to the Korean government their request for funding assistance for the feasibility study on the proposed bridge.
The proposed bridge project will have to be endorsed by DPWH, the Neda Investment Coordination Committee technical board, Neda board and the foreign affairs secretary, he said.
The 90-kilometer bridge’s construction is expected to cost at least P20 billion.
Once materialized, Oculam said it will be a win-win situation for Cebu and Bohol in terms of commerce, technology sharing and the exchange of power and water between the two provinces.
“With the bridge, we can connect a pipeline to transport excess water from Bohol to Cebu, as well as a fiber optic line from Cebu to Bohol to improve Bohol’s telecommunications infrastructure,” Oculam said.
President Benigno Aquino III earlier expressed his take on the proposed project, saying “it is too ambitious.”
However, Chatto said if this will be realized it could boost the economy between the two provinces. (FREEMAN)
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