BACOLOD CITY, Philippines – Senate President Franklin Drilon rallied Negrenses to support Liberal Party standard-bearer Manuel Roxas II and running mate Camarines Sur Rep. Leni Robredo, promising more economic gains for the province.
“If we have Mar, Leni, and Senator Drilon in office, the bridge connecting the islands of Negros, Guimaras, and Panay will push through,” Drilon said at the opening ceremonies of the 23rd Panaad sa Negros Festival here on Friday.
Drilon said the dream of interconnecting the island of Negros, composed of Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental, with Guimaras and Panay (composed of Iloilo, Antique, Aklan, and Capiz), started more than 10 years ago.
He said the proposed bridge that will connect Iloilo and Guimaras will be 2.5 kilometers long, while the bridge connecting Guimaras and Negros will be longer at 25 kms.
Negros Occidental Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr., invited Drilon as the guest of honor of the Panaad Festival opening.
“Mar is from Negros and I am from Iloilo. I can assure you that we can devote our time and whatever power we will have to make this dream come true during the term of President Mar Roxas,” Drilon said.
Drilon thanked Marañon for inviting him to the opening of Panaad.
“This is my first time to be the guest of honor and speaker in Panaad,” he said.