The proposed Panay-Guimaras-Negros Bridge needs to undergo a feasibility study before this can be classified as a priority project under the government's Public-Private Partnership program.

In response to proposals by local officials that the bridge project be included in the PPP, Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said all public-private partnership (PPP) projects have first undergone feasibility study before these were included in the scheme.

Earlier, PGN-LGU designated coordinator Vladi Gonzalez was quoted in a local paper here saying the project would cost about P28.5 billion and revealed government officials in Panay are now negotiating with Japanese representatives for a possible funding from the Official Development Assistance and Japan's International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

In a PIA radio interview here aired over DYKB- RPN 8, Lacierda said he will take up the matter with PPP Center Executive Director Cosette Canilao and that once the Center gives the go signal, the project will be placed on the pipeline.

Lacierda and Deputy Spokesperson Abigail Valte were in the city to explain government programs through the media.

The proposed bridges that will link the three island of Western Visayas is seen to provide efficiency in mobility of the public as well as in transport of goods from and to every province and island. It is also seen to lower transportation cost and will service the public in a 24/7 basis. The proposal is also seen to improve the tourism potentials of every province involved.*PIA