Pacquiao vows to make the proposed Panay-Guimaras-Negros bridges a reality if elected (Sabong News)
Author
Tara Yap
Date
MARCH 31 2022
ILOILO CITY — If elected president, Senator Manny Pacquiao vowed to prioritize the construction of the bridges linking the islands of Panay, Guimaras and Negros in the Visayas.
“Of course, it will push through. We will continue the “Build, Build, Build” program of President Duterte,” Pacquiao said while in Iloilo for a two-day campaign.
Pacquiao noted that the development of infrastructure is crucial to the economic growth of the country.
“Hindi lang dito sa Iloilo, pero sa buong bansa (Not just in Iloilo, but the whole country),” the boxer-turned-politician added.
The first phase of the Visayan trans-link bridges was supposed to be part of the “Build, Build, Build” program. But the Chinese government, which earlier vowed to finance the construction, backed out.
Pacquiao has joined a list of presidential candidates who favor making the trans-link bridges a reality. The others are Vice President Leni Robredo, Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso and former Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.
Pacquiao is trying to court Christian voters in Iloilo, which is considered as the bailiwick of Robredo. Pacquiao attended gatherings of Baptist churches and met with key pastors from the different Christian denominations here.
