THE Central Visayas Regional Development Council (CVRDC) on Wednesday asked the national government to fund a P128.038-million feasibility project for a road bridge to connect the islands of Cebu and Bohol.

The Bohol-Cebu Multi-Access Friendship Bridge, which would connect Getafe town in northern Bohol and Cordova town on Mactan Island, has received the support of the provincial development councils in Bohol and Cebu province.

CVRDC chairman, Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia, said the bridge would foster tourism in the two islands, as visitors to Cebu could not get easy access to the scenic destinations in Bohol.

“Tourists could now easily cross the two islands unlike before when they have to ride the boat,” Garcia said.

The CVRDC asked the Infrastructure Coordinating Committee of the National Economic and Development Authority to include the feasibility-study project for funding by the Korean government’s Economic Development Assistance Fund (EDCF).

Bohol Gov. Erico Aumentado said he personally met with officials of the EDCF on October 30 and he received a “very good response” on the prospect of the Korean government funding the feasibility study.

“They even encouraged me to get an endorsement from the CVRDC so they could process the project,” Aumentado said.

Aside from fostering tourism and trade, the bridge must also contain lines for water and power.

“Cebu would need excess water from Bohol, while Bohol needs excess power from Cebu,” he said.

Central Visayas governors in 2005 endorsed for feasibility study a bridge to connect the islands of Bohol, Cebu and Negros.

The Department of Public Works and Highways then drafted a concept paper and terms of reference on the project. Public works engineers then posted an estimate for the feasibility study.

The bridge is planned to hop over reefs and islets in Bohol Strait, between the islands of Bohol and Cebu. A bigger road would then connect Cordova to Lapu-Lapu City, which is then connected to mainland Cebu by the Mandaue-Mactan Bridge and the Marcelo Fernan Bridge.

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THE Central Visayas Regional Development Council (CVRDC) on Wednesday asked the national government to fund a P128.038-million feasibility project for a road bridge to connect the islands of Cebu and Bohol.

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