MikeLigalig.com

By MALOU M. MOZO
Manila Bulletin

The Bohol provincial government, along with a local business group continues to support a proposal for the ambitious “Cebu-Bohol Multi-Access Friendship Bridge” project that would link the two major Visayan provinces.

The proposal, said Bohol Governor Edgar Chatto, may be “ambitious,” but if realized, he said it would tremendously boost the economic activities in the entire region.

“Discussions on the so-called ‘super-bridge’ are still being studied. As for Bohol, we will always support this plan as something that will spur regional growth,” Chatto said, in a press conference during the Sandugo Trade Expo in Tagbilaran City recently.

Feasibility study for the project, a brainchild of then Bohol governor and now Rep. Erico Aumentado (Bohol, Second District) was started in May 2008. Said feasibility study on the proposal was awarded to Korean firm, Economic Development Cooperation Fund (EDCF), at a cost of $3 million.

Chatto pointed out that the proposed bridge project will complement both provinces, substantially improving transportation, tourism and productivity in both areas.

As proposed, the 90-kilometer bridge will link Cebu and Bohol through the towns of Cordova in Cebu and Getafe in Bohol and is expected to cost at least P20 billion.

The Bohol governor said if such big ticket project materializes, it will facilitate a more seamless flow of goods and support infrastructure such as power, telecommunication and other services benefitting both provinces.

He admitted, thought, that the “super-bridge” will impact rather negatively the region’s shipping industry although, he pointed out that “this will also allow shipping companies to re-think their strategies and consider serving other islands.”

At 90 kms it would become the longest bridge in the world beating us - New Orleans - by almost 100% hehehe

Causeway - World's Longest Bridge