QUEZON CITY, Philippines — House Minority Leader and 4Ps Party-list Representative Marcelino “Nonoy” Libanan has filed three legislative measures proposing the construction of bridges or undersea tunnels to establish permanent road networks across key provinces in the Visayas.
The proposed infrastructure projects aim to link Cebu to Negros Oriental, Cebu to Bohol, and Bohol to Southern Leyte to spur regional development and boost island-to-island mobility.
“These proposed marine links are about connecting communities, opening economic opportunities, and making the movement of people and goods between our islands more efficient,” Libanan said on Friday, October 2.
“The Visayas is an archipelago, but better physical connectivity can help bring our islands closer together. These proposals are an invitation to seriously study what permanent links can contribute to regional development and resilience,” he said.
Under the legislative proposals, House Bill No. 11499 seeks to build a marine link connecting Santander in Cebu with Sibulan in Negros Oriental, creating a direct continuous road network complete with approach roads and interchanges. Meanwhile, House Bill No. 11500 proposes connecting Getafe in Bohol with Cordova in Cebu to streamline access to job centers, markets, and public services.
House Bill No. 11501 targets a link between Maasin City in Southern Leyte and Ubay in Bohol by routing the connection through Lapinig Island.
The minority leader stressed that the projects must undergo thorough evaluation to assess their overall viability and environmental impact.
“These projects should be studied carefully and comprehensively before any construction decision is made,” Libanan said.
“Our objective is to determine, through rigorous studies, whether these fixed links are technically feasible, economically viable, environmentally sound, and beneficial to the communities they are intended to serve,” he noted.
The measures stipulate that funding for the feasibility and engineering studies should be allocated under the General Appropriations Act (GAA) and carried out by qualified international consulting firms. Libanan added that technical assistance or grants from international development partners could also be tapped to ensure standard execution.
Beyond everyday transit, the fixed infrastructure could serve as vital alternative transport lines for disaster relief and emergency equipment during severe weather disruptions to maritime transport.