Japan, Korea & China competing for Panay-Guimaras-Negros bridge

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Administrator's note: Companion discussion on the forum's FB extension available here

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Japan International Cooperation Agency (JIACA) completed one of the first, if not the first, feasibility study that defined the how, why, and what-for of the two-bridge project that would connect Panay, Guimaras, and Negros in 1999. While nothing came of the original project, which was then estimated to cost P53B, Japan's mindshare in the project was assured. With Japan's history of favorable rates, and existing relations with the bureaucracy, particularly the Department of Transportation, this makes Japan an obvious front-runner in this long-running effort.

The Export-Import Bank of Korea has started making in-roads into the Philippine infrastructure-building and in 2016, signed the loan agreement that initiated construction of the P4.8B Panguil Bay bridge that would bridge Tubod in Lanao del Norte and the City of Tangub in Misamis Occidental. The bank has also started its own feasibility study of the two-bridge project.

China Communications Construction Co., Ltd. (CCCC) stated its own feasibility of the bridge project and was expected to release its findings in 2017. In apparent recognition of the fact that it was late to the table, CCCC reportedly offered to conduct their feasibility study for free. An notable aspect of the Chinese offer, as related by DPWH Secretary Manny Villar, was that their plan reportedly would build both bridges simultaneously thus ensuring a faster return-on-investment for the project.

Only time will tell which if the three reign supreme in the battle of the bridges

		Japan		South Korea		China
Agency		Japan International Cooperation Agency		Export-Import Bank of Korea		China Communications Construction Co. Ltd
Feasibility study completion		1999				2017 (expected)

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The "why" for this multi-bridge project

Co-benefit analysis of the proposed Panay-Guimaras-Negros Bridge Project, Western Visayas, Philippines
Author  Nicanor R.Roxas, Jr. Alexis M Fillone.

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352146517306002

Abstract

The Western Visayas region is at the heart of the Philippine archipelago. It consists of three main islands, Panay, Guimaras, and Negros. Because of the region's geographic make-up, an efficient inter-island transport system is necessary to ensure the continuous flow of goods, services, and people. In order to aid the region in continuously becoming a significant contributor to the economy, the Panay-Guimaras-Negros (PGN) inter-island bridge project is proposed. The proposed project intends to connect the three main islands via inter-island bridges that span approximately 23 km. The bridge will connect the main urban centers of the region, Iloilo City in Panay Island and Bacolod City in Negros Island. This study looks into the proposed PGN project and current condition of the inter-island travel in the region. Specifically, this study will employ the co-benefit approach as suggested by the Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES) on the proposed PGN project. Results of this study are beneficial for the preliminary evaluation of the project. The various benefits and savings from travel time, vehicle operating cost, and air emissions are quantified and converted to monetary terms through this method. The result of this study can provide input in the initial assessment of the project before the full cost-benefit analysis is employed.

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The following two articles are an interesting study in contrast. If one were to take the older article, at the bottom, at face value it would appear that China had already won the deal and the construction was imminent. However, the more recent article, immediately below, cited the existence of the older Japanese feasibility study, and the Korean effort . . .


. . . indicating the other countries were still in the running.

Neda chief: Negros-Panay bridge to break ground in 2019
MARCHEL P. ESPINA
62 days ago

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/419709/

QUEZON CITY -- National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) Director-General Ernesto Pernia said the Negros-Panay Bridge is expected to break ground in 2019.

Pernia, in an interview with SunStar Bacolod at the sidelines of the University of the Philippines Science Journalism Awards night at UP Diliman on February 17, said the feasibility study is underway.

"When the project is conceived, the first thing that should be done is a feasibility study, whether worthwhile and if the economic feasibility is promising," he said.

He said the feasibility study is "almost going to be complete."

The study, which started last year, is expected to be completed by June this year.

< Edited >

He said the project will break ground in 2019, adding it is possible the bridge construction will be finished before the term of President Rodrigo Duterte ends in 2022.

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Pernia said the funding will be sourced from the Official Development Assistance from other countries like Japan, Korea, China, or from the World Bank.

He said the cost will be determined after the feasibility study is concluded.

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Panay-Guimaras-Negros bridge pre-feasibility study starts
September 15, 2017 | 12:02 am   

http://bworldonline.com/panay-guimaras-negros-bridge-pre-feasibility-study-starts/

ILOILO CITY — State-owned China Communications Construction Co., Ltd. (CCCC) has started the pre-feasibility study for the P27.156-billion bridge that will link the islands of Panay, Guimaras and Negros.

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“We are looking at having the pre-feasibility study finished by 2017. Then we will have one year for the detailed engineering and another year, which is in 2019 for the procurement. Then probably it might start (construction) at the earliest in 2020,” she said.

The pre-feasibility study, she added, will be the main reference for further discussions between the Philippine and Chinese governments in implementing the project.

Ms. Bacal said other proponents who earlier expressed interest in the bridge have not provided an update since the Chinese came in to pursue the project.

Public Works and Highways Secretary Mark A. Villar said in October that the Korean Export-Import Bank has taken initial steps for a new feasibility study for the three-island link, which was previously assessed by the Japan International Cooperation Agency.

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Longest bridge to be built soon
Gilbert P. Bayoran (The Freeman) - December 21, 2017 - 4:00pm

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — The 19-kilometer bridge, which will link Panay to Guimaras and Negros, may soon be a reality, according to Public Works and Highway Secretary Mark Villar.

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“When completed, it will be the longest bridge in the country,” said Villar, adding that its construction could cost up to $2 billion. “Despite doubts that it is just a pipe dream, it will be a reality, he added.

The San Juanico Bridge that connects Samar and Leyte, and currently the longest bridge in the Philippines, is only two kilometers long.

The planned Panay-Guimaras-Negros Bridge is being expected to boost the economies of three Visayan island provinces.

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The proposal to connect Iloilo to Negros started during the administration of then President Corazon Aquino. It also cropped up during the administrations of Presidents Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and Benigno Aquino III.

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“Next year we can expect the preparatory works to start the construction,” he said, pointing out that the Panay-Guimaras and Guimaras-Negros sections will be undertaken simultaneously by the Chinese.

“The Negros stretch might take longer because of its length,” Villar said. The bridge will have to stretch all the way to Negros to ensure that the Internal Rate of Return (IRR) is profitable. (FREEMAN)


Read more at https://www.philstar.com/the-freeman/region/2017/12/21/1770773/longest-bridge-be-built-soon#mJRjl42RTY7rOvVQ.99

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Negros-Panay bridge threat to endangered dolphins – study
Published March 14, 2018, 10:00 PM
By Mark L. Garcia

https://news.mb.com.ph/2018/03/14/negros-panay-bridge-threat-to-endangered-dolphins-study/

Bacolod City – An academic research center here warns that building the Panay-Guimaras-Negros Bridge will threaten the endangered Irrawaddy Dolphins, as the construction will cut through its core habitat at the Guimaras Strait near Pulupandan town in Negros Occidental.

The University of Saint La Salle-University Research Center (USLSU-RC) said in a press release that Irrawady Dolphins (Orcaellabrevirostris) will be facing potential negative impact from the plan to construct the bridge as it is expected to cut through the dolphin’s core habitat in the coastal waters of Pulupandan.

These dolphins are known to reside in the coastal waters of Bago City and Pulupandan and were declared as a protected marine area in the latter through the partnerships of these academic institutions and the local government of Bago, it said.

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Mark de la Paz, URC research associate said Sunday that the eyed construction is one of the threats faced by these dolphins declared as endangered by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) December last year.

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Legislative initiatives back in 2012

Legislators press for construction of bridges linking Panay, Guimaras and Negros
By: Nestor P. Burgos Jr. - @inquirerdotnet Inquirer Visayas / 04:25 PM March 24, 2012

ILOILO CITY, Philippines—Crossing party lines, 19 Visayas congressmen have asked President Benigno Aquino to prioritize the construction of a network of bridges linking the islands of Panay, Negros and Guimaras.

In a joint resolution, the legislators called on Aquino, the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Center, the Department of Public Works and Highways and the National Economic Development Authority  to prioritize the construction of the bridges in the government’s PPP program.

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The resolution was initiated by Iloilo City Representative Jerry Treñas and was signed by 19 of the 21 legislators from Western Visayas and Negros Oriental.

House Resolution No. 2018 was read on Januray 16 and was referred to the House committee on public works and highways.

There have been various proposals and studies to construct the bridges over the years but none has led to an actual project because of the high estimated cost.

A study undertaken by Japan International Cooperation Agency in 1999 pegged the cost of the project at P53.661 billion with a total span of 23.19 kilometers. This includes P14.173 billion for the construction of the 2.59-km Panay-Guimaras bridge and P39.488 billion for a 20.6-km bridge linking Guimaras and Negros islands.

A DPWH study in 2010 estimated the project to cost P28.496 billion spanning a total of 13.16 kilometers. This includes 3.6 kilometers for the Panay-Guimaras bridge at P9.438 billion and a 9.56-km bridge to connect Guimaras and Negros costing P19.08 billion.

The 13.16-kilometer span is the shortest among the target areas for bridge construction. Based on this projected length, a bridge will be constructed to connect Leganes town in Iloilo to Buenavista town in Guimaras. Another bridge will link San Lorenzo town in Guimaras to Pulupandan town in Negros Occidental.

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Read more: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/166599/legislators-press-for-construction-of-bridges-linking-panay-guimaras-and-negros#ixzz5DYuVOPx4
Follow us: @inquirerdotnet on Twitter | inquirerdotnet on Facebook

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Pre-feasibility study underway for Panay-Guimaras-Negros Bridge Project
Friday, September 15, 2017

http://www.dpwh.gov.ph/dpwh/news/2158

Experts from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and China Communications Construction Company (CCCC) Highway Consultants Co. Ltd. are currently drafting the Minutes of Discussions (MOD) for the Pre-feasibility study of proposed bridges that will link Panay, Guimaras, and Negros Island Region.

DPWH Region 6 Director Wenceslao M. Leaño Jr. said a recent meeting was held in Iloilo to discuss various details and concerns on the proposed Iloilo-Guimaras-Negros Bridge which feasibility study will be funded by the Chinese government.

“The Chinese team will be gathering significant detailed information on road network and ocean areas particularly in potential sites for bridge construction and all the details necessary for them to have deeper technical engineering consideration,” said Director Leaño.

Both parties agreed to hold a coordination meeting with the Local Government Units (LGUs) of Iloilo City, Leganes and Zarraga to discuss where the bridge may be strategically constructed.

Series of meetings will be conducted between the DPWH, CCC Highway Consultants Co. Ltd., other concerned government agencies, and LGUs to finalize the MOD for the pre-feasibility of the mega bridge project.

A signed MOD shall formalize the engagement of the Chinese government with implementation of Panay-Guimaras-Negros Bridge.

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PH, China sign 6-year trade, economic dev’t plan
Published March 20, 2017, 12:10 AM
by Antonio L. Colina IV and Chino S. Leyco

Davao City — A six-year Philippines-China trade and economic development program was signed here Friday by National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) director general Ernesto Pernia and Vice Minister of Commerce Fu Ziying.

https://news.mb.com.ph/2017/03/20/ph-china-sign-6-year-trade-economic-devt-plan/

Vice Minister Fu and Chinese Vice Premier Wang Yang were in Davao City for a four-day visit and met with some of the cabinet officials of President Rodrigo R. Duterte, including Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III, Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno, Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade, and NEDA Director General Pernia.

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Aside from the trade and economic development agreement, the two countries agreed to undertake feasibility studies for the first two of nine projects, the construction of the Panay-Guimaras-Negros Bridges Project and the Davao City Expressway Project.

In their meeting, the Philippine and Chinese officials discussed recent economic developments in the country, including the recently approved Philippine Development Plan (PDP) for 2017-2022, and updates on bilateral cooperation in infrastructure, trade, investments, agriculture, fishery, tourism, and financing cooperation.

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Finance Secretary Dominguez said China will soon conduct preliminary feasibility studies for the proposed Davao City Expressway and the Panay-Guimaras-Negros Island Bridges project.

He and Chinese Vice Premier Wang Yang signed an exchange of letters formalizing the conduct of preliminary feasibility studies for the Davao City expressway and inter-island bridge project.

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From: https://thedailyguardian.net/banner-news/will-panay-guimaras-bridge-displace-roro/

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Mayor Eugene Reyes of Buenavista town said the bridge will give private vehicle owners an option in reaching the island-province.

“Instead of taking the RoRo, they can just use the bridge, which will be available any time, even during typhoons,” said Reyes.

Currently, private vehicles and those that transport cargoes board RoRo ships from Lapuz, Iloilo City to get to Guimaras for an P800 fee.

Reyes said the bridge will have a positive impact on the cost of transporting goods from Panay and Luzon to Guimaras.

“Economically, the bridge will contribute a lot. The transport of goods will be faster, easier, and cheaper,” he said.

The decrease in the costs of transporting the goods will translate to cheaper goods, which is favorable to Guimarasnons, he added.

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It is not final yet when and where specifically in Buenavista will the bridge be constructed.

“There is no specific site yet, but during the visit of representatives of China Road and Bridge Corp., it will be somewhere in Barangays Taminla, Tacay and Getulio in northern part of Buenavista, and in Leganes or Zarraga in Iloilo,” Reyes said.

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The company currently in talks with the DPWH for the PGN bridge . . .

Pre-feasibility study underway for Panay-Guimaras-Negros Bridge Project
Friday, September 15, 2017

http://www.dpwh.gov.ph/dpwh/news/2158

Experts from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and China Communications Construction Company (CCCC) Highway Consultants Co. Ltd. are currently drafting the Minutes of Discussions (MOD) for the Pre-feasibility study of proposed bridges that will link Panay, Guimaras, and Negros Island Region.

. . . is the same company looking to build the Port City Colombo in Sri Lanka

https://asia.nikkei.com/Spotlight/Cover-Story/Is-China-s-Belt-and-Road-working-A-progress-report-from-eight-countries

China is also involved in a $15 billion project to build "Port City Colombo" on reclaimed land in the capital. The $1.4 billion first phase of the project is being undertaken by a subsidiary of China Communications & Construction Co., which is shouldering the total cost of reclaiming 269 hectares of land.

Sri Lanka's debt equals 81.6% of its gross domestic product, which the International Monetary Fund says is the third-highest ratio among emerging economies.

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https://www.facebook.com/DOFPH/photos/a.280593182101972.1073741827.280557962105494/886616511499633/?type=3&theater

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Bridge to catalyze investments, more production in the Visayas

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1743419/Bacolod/Business/Bridge-to-catalyze-investments-more-production-in-the-Visayas

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Zeno Ronald Abenoja, senior director of the Department of Economic Research of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), said one key component to complement with seaports, farm-to-market roads, and railway systems would-be bridges.

Abenoja was in Bacolod City Tuesday, May 15 for the Conference on Gearing Up for External Competitiveness, held at Seda Capitol Central.

"The Negros-Panay Bridge will link different islands as well as production sector to the markets," he said, adding that for the BSP, bridge development projects are important in spurring more production and investments in Western and Central Visayas.

The estimated budget for the construction of the 19-kilometer bridge traversing Negros Occidental, Iloilo, and Guimaras are pegged at $2 billion.

National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) Director-General Ernesto Pernia earlier said the project is expected to break ground in 2019.

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Authority (Neda) Director-General Ernesto Pernia earlier said the project is expected to break ground in 2019.

The funding will be sourced from the Official Development Assistance from other countries like Japan, Korea, China, or from the World Bank, the Neda chief added.

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[adroth]

Old news that highlights's Korea's participation in the process.

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DPWH eyes construction of bridges connecting Panay, Guimaras, Negros in 2018
By Reymar Latoza -
October 24, 2016

http://www.iloilometropolitantimes.com/dpwh-eyes-construction-of-bridges-connecting-panay-guimaras-negros-in-2018/

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH-6) is expecting to start the construction of bridges that would connect the islands of Panay, Guimaras and Negros in 2018.

Wenceslao M. Leaño, DPWH-6 director, said the project, which has a six-year construction period, would cost around P21 billion.

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Leaño said the Korean Export-Import Bank will conduct a new feasibility study for the proposed trans-link bridges.

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Construction of P24-B Panay-Guimaras bridge to start next year
By Cindy Ferrer  May 30, 2018, 8:03 pm

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1036982

JORDAN, Guimaras -- The construction of the 5.7-kilometer Panay-Guimaras bridge may start next year, Guimaras Governor Samuel Gumarin said on Wednesday.

Gumarin said that the pre-feasibility being undertaken by some Chinese proponents for the construction of the PHP24 billion inter-island bridge may be completed within the year.

Initially, Gumarin said that the village of Taminla in the town of Buenavista is being considered as the area where the bridge will be constructed, connecting the village in the town of Leganes in Iloilo province.

Recalling his last meeting with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), the governor said that the construction of the bridge may be financed by a bank from China. The project may also be given to a Chinese contractor.

The bridge project is among the priority infrastructures under the “Build, Build, Build” Program of the Duterte administration.

Senator Cynthia Villar said that one of the eight proposed inter-island bridges in the country will be constructed before the end of the term of President Rodrigo R. Duterte.

Quoting his son, Mark Villar, who is the current DPWH Secretary, the senator said the proposed Iloilo-Guimaras-Negros bridge is "feasible" because of the shallow water between these islands. (PNA)

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Iloilo-Guimaras bridge may be completed before 2022
By Ime Sornito -Thursday, May 31, 2018

https://www.panaynews.net/iloilo-guimaras-bridge-may-be-completed-before-2022/
 
ILOILO City – A bridge connecting Iloilo and the island province of Guimaras may be completed before the end of President Rodrigo Duterte’s six-year term in 2022, according to Sen. Cynthia Villar.

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The Iloilo-Guimaras bridge is Phase 1 of a proposed network of bridges that would connect the Visayas islands of Panay, Guimaras, Negros, and Cebu.

Phase 2 is the bridge connecting Guimaras to Negros and Phase 3 is the bridge linking Negros to Cebu.

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The waters between Iloilo and Guimaras are shallower to compared to those separating Guimaras, Negros and Cebu, according to Villar.

The distance between Iloilo and Guimaras is also shorter, she added.

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Five areas in Iloilo and Guimaras are being eyed where to build the bridge. One is in Barangay Taminla, Buenavista, Guimaras with the other end of the bridge in Leganes, Iloilo.

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Visayan bloc to gov’t: Start immediately construction of P42-B Panay-Guimaras-Negros bridge
Published September 8, 2018, 1:44 PM

By Ben Rosario

https://news.mb.com.ph/2018/09/08/visayan-bloc-to-govt-start-immediately-construction-of-p42-b-panay-guimaras-negros-bridge/

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In a statement signed by VB convenors Reps. Alfredo ‘Albee” Benitez (PDP-Laban, Negros Occidental) and Jerry Trenas (NP, Iloilo), the legislators committed strong support for the project that is part of the Duterte administration’s “Build, Build, Build” program.

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While the 14.3-kilometer Panay-Guimaras link can be completed by 2021 if construction will commence this year, there is a strong likelihood that the Guimaras-Negros bridge, spanning 5.7 kilometers, will be started before the end of the term of President Rodrigo Duterte.