BACOLOD CITY – Re-elected Himamaylan City Mayor Raymund Tongson said the proposed inter-island tunnel is one of the flagship projects of his administration.
He said the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development Negros Island Region (DEPDev NIR) recently convened a strategic meeting at the Himamaylan City Hall to discuss the infrastructure project aimed at improving regional connectivity and integration across Negros Island.
Tongson, who hosted the meeting, highlighted the proposed construction of a road network and tunnel traversing the mountains of Negros to link Himamaylan City in Negros Occidental and Tayasan in Negros Oriental.
The project aims to significantly reduce travel time between the two provinces and establish an alternate east-west corridor to enhance logistics and support emergency response and rehabilitation efforts during natural disasters, including a potential eruption of Mt. Kanlaon.
The Department of Public Works and Highways Negros Island Region (DPWH NIR), led by Assistant Regional Director Rodney A. Gustilo, presented technical notes and feasibility details, outlining current infrastructure conditions and potential tunnel routes.
Gustilo said the initiative is part of broader efforts to improve connectivity, promote economic integration, boost trade and tourism, and enhance access to services across the island.
Earlier, DEPDev NIR concurrent regional director Arecio Casing Jr. said the tunnel connector would use modern construction technology to ensure the safest, fastest, and most economical mode of travel between key east and west cities on Negros Island.
“This is a major cog in the wheel, together with the Panay-Guimaras-Negros Bridge, which would bring the Visayas regions to greater heights,” he said.
Casing added that the Visayas serve as vital connecting points between the Batangas-Mindoro-Panay route and the Negros-Northern Mindanao route, linking Luzon to Mindanao.
He said the tunnel connector, which will cross the Negros mountains, will support the Panay-Guimaras-Negros Bridge by improving highway infrastructure on the island.
Tongson also said that aside from the Himamaylan-Tayasan Tunnel Connector Project, the Himamaylan Port Expansion Project is also in the pipeline this year, which is expected to spur further development in the city and the Negros Island Region. (Dolly Yasa via tdg)