The Philippine Government has planned to build eight major bridges with an estimated cost of PHP269.19bn ($5.16bn) to connect the islands of the Visayas with each other, as well as link them to Luzon.

The plan, announced by the Philippines Department of Finance (DOF), forms a part of the government’s infrastructure building programme ‘Build, Build, Build’ and create jobs outside Metro Manila.

Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III stated that building appropriate road networks in Visayas will also be undertaken, along with the construction of these bridges to transform the economies of the islands.

Dominguez said: “These bridges will provide growth corridors and ensure that none of the major islands of the Visayas will be left behind in the country’s race to progress.”

The proposed bridges are: an 18.2km bridge between Samar provinces and main island of Luzon; a 20km bridge connecting Leyte to Mindanao Island; a 5.7km Panay-Guimaras bridge; and 12.3km-long Guimaras-Negros inter-island linkages.

“These bridges will provide growth corridors and ensure that none of the major islands of the Visayas will be left behind in the country’s race to progress.”

It also includes a 1km-long Bohol-Lapinig Island bridge, 18km Lapinig Island-to-Leyte bridge, 5.5km Cebu-Negros Link Bridge and the 24.5km Cebu-to-Bohol Link Bridge.

The proposals for these eight bridges will be submitted to the Investment Coordination Committee (ICC) for approval.

Commenting on the infrastructure investments made by the government, Dominguez added: “Our infrastructure investments, estimated at $170bn between now and 2022, have very high multiplier effects.

“By undertaking these thoroughly studied strategic projects, we will stimulate economic activity.

“Jobs and opportunities will be created, and we are confident we can bring down poverty incidence to only 14% by 2022.”