Sagay city: The proposed construction of the PHP95-million Pacul Bridge under the Department of Agriculture-Philippine Rural Development Project (DA-PRDP) is anticipated to improve transportation and access to markets for farmers and residents in the upland villages of Sagay City, Negros Occidental. DA-Negros Island Region Director Jose Albert Barrogo announced that the project approval has been submitted to the National Project Coordination Office and is awaiting the issuance of the No Objection Letter 1, allowing the proponent local government unit to proceed with the bidding process.
According to Philippines News Agency, the 60-linear-meter bridge project, which spans the Pacul River across the villages of Baviera, Sewahon I, Colonia Divina, and Tadlong, was approved for implementation by the Regional Project Advisory Board-Negros Island Region on June 8. Under the DA-PRDP Scale-Up, the World Bank will finance 70 percent of the project funding, the national government will cover 10 percent, and the local government unit will provide a 20-percent equity.
Sagay City Mayor Leo Rafael Cueva stated that the Pacul Bridge Project is a long-term investment that will directly support rural development and agricultural productivity. He emphasized that by improving connectivity, transportation costs could be reduced, access to markets could be improved, and government services could become more accessible to the people.
Cueva also highlighted that improved rural connectivity remains a key component of the northern Negros city's development strategy, particularly in agricultural communities where road and transport infrastructure are crucial for productivity and income generation. He mentioned that enhancing access creates more opportunities for growth, helping connect communities, support livelihoods, and strengthen the resilience of the farming sector.
The proposed Pacul Bridge Project will also support the Department of Agriculture's crop diversification efforts and strengthen the muscovado sugar value chain by enabling safer and more efficient movement of people, goods, and services, as noted by the PRDP Project Support Office-Visayas Cluster.
