| Bridge Name: | Iloilo–Guimaras–Negros–Cebu Link Bridge |
| Crosses: | Iloilo Strait (Phase I) Guimaras Strait (Phase II) Tañon Strait (Phase III) |
| Length: | 4000m (13,000feet) (Phase I)[1] 12000m (39,000feet) (Phase II) 8000m (26,000feet) (Phase III) |
| Begin: | Second quarter of 2025 (Phase I)[2] |
| Complete: | 2028 (Phase I)[3] 2030 (Phase II)[4] |
| Cost: | ₱27.156 million (Phase I)[5] US$1 billion (Entire Project – Projected) |
The Iloilo–Guimaras–Negros–Cebu Link Bridge is a planned network of bridges in the Visayas in the Philippines connecting the islands of Panay, Guimaras, Negros, and Cebu.
One of the core projects of the Duterte administration's "Build, Build, Build" Program, the bridge network aims to provide increased inter-connectivity in the provinces of Western and Central Visayas, to stimulate economic activity in the region and help in the decongestion of Metro Manila in the process. Considering the width of the Iloilo Strait, Guimaras Strait, and Tañon Strait, all three bridges in the network, if completed, will be much longer than the longest bridge in the country, the 8.9-km Cebu–Cordova Link Expressway (CCLEX) between the islands of Mactan and Cebu.[6]
There were several proposals to build bridges linking the islands in Visayas. In 1999, the Japan International Cooperation Agency created a master plan for two bridges connecting Panay, Guimaras, and Negros; the first bridge, spanning 20.6km (12.8miles), was planned to link Leganes, Iloilo to Buenavista, Guimaras, while the second bridge also measuring 20.6km (12.8miles) was meant to connect San Lorenzo, Guimaras to Pulupandan, Negros Occidental. The Department of Public Works and Highways conducted a study on building bridges that would connect Panay, Guimaras, and Negros which were projected to require a budget if the bridges are to be built.[7]
In 2013, Governors Arthur Defensor Sr. of Iloilo and Alfredo Marañón Jr. of Negros Occidental made an alternative proposal that would bypass Guimaras and directly link Banate (in Iloilo) and E.B. Magalona (in Negros Occidental) via a 14.5km (09miles) bridge.[7]
A feasibility study conducted by the Philippine government that concluded in May 2018 divided the project into three phases: Phase I would start in Leganes, Iloilo and go to Buenavista, Guimaras; Phase II will be the Guimaras–Negros portion; while Phase III the Negros–Cebu part.[8] Public Works and Highways secretary Mark Villar announced in August 2018 that Phase I of the project will likely start in early 2019, with the ₱27.156 million needed for the project to be provided by the Chinese government through a grant.[5] This proposal did not actualize and the local Philippine governments are now negotiating an alternative proposal from South Korean interests.[9]
In May 2024, Department of Public Works and Highways Director Sanny Boy Oropel said the PHP187.54-billion, 32.47 kilometers Panay-Guimaras-Negros bridges project's Panay-Guimaras section is expected to be finished before June 30, 2028. There are 7 platform barges stationed for the offshore drilling survey. Its P2.671-billion feasibility study (funded by loans from the Export–Import Bank of Korea) and engineering design process is currently undertaken by a 6 consulting firms consortium. The joint venture includes Yooshin Engineering Corporation with Kyong-Ho Engineering and Architects Co. Ltd., Dohwa Engineering Co. Ltd., Soosung Engineering Co. Ltd. and Dasan Consultants Co. Ltd. The project's 2 sections consist of A, the 13 kilometers Panay-Guimaras bridge and B the 19.47 kilometers Guimaras-Negros bridge. It will have a "common intersection in the Panay side, Guimaras side, and Negros side,” Oropel explained.[10] [11]