The group of Manny V. Pangilinan has their eyes looked into the gigantic project of connecting Bohol and Cebu with a so-called Friendship Bridge between Mactan and Getafe town.

Mon Fernandez, president of the Metro Pacific Tollways, one of the businesses of MVP held its initial meeting with Rep. Aris Aumentado regarding the proposed bridge at the PLDT offices in Makati City last Tuesday.

The said meeting with the top lieutenants of MVP discussed their commitment to conduct a pre-feasibility study to determine the viablity of this multi-billion project which is initially viewed by the business group as an income generating venture.

The meeting followed after a European based company has committed to put up a $ 1 million budget to conduct the said pre-feasibility study which can be completed within three months. After the pre-feasibility, the more detailed feasibility study follows.

Rep. Aumentado, during an exclusive interview with The Chronicle said he welcomes the interest of MVP’s group, being a noted exponent of successful business ventures in the country today.

With  the interest of the foreign investor to help finance the pre-feasibility study, the MVP group became more keen in doing a joint venture so to determine the return of investments of this Friendship Bridge which will connect the two Central Visayas provinces.

The group of Panglinan is keen on the project since they have their own businesses which can benefit once this bridge is realized. They are already engaged on water and power business operations as well in the communication sector.

The bridge is estimated to be between 17 to 22 kms length with a portion from both ends to be a causeway drive like the one in sitio Ubos, this city where the Ambassador Pablo Suarez Bridge connects Bohol mainland to Panglao island.

The new technology being looked into by the foreign investor is the socalled “floating bridge” which is more environmental friendly.

Earlier, this bridge conceptualized during the term of the late Gov. Erico Aumentado was dubbed as the 3-n-1 project since it will also carry the water pipes from Inabanga to sell cheap water to Mactan and at the same time the cheaper power from Cebu to Bohol, aside from the trade and commerce it will generate on the bridge.

With the MVP Group’s interest, they are also eyeing the possibility of bringing cheaper fuel to Bohol end users from Cebu suppliers with the  noted high price of fuel in the province.

This latest development came in tandem with the soon-to-start Cebu City to Cordova, Mactan bridge which ground breaking rites were held earlier this year. This bridge will start from the South Reclamation Project (SRP) connecting mainland Cebu to Cordova in Mactan.The bridge estimated cost of P16 billion is viewed as a progressive business since it can generate income from toll fees in as much that the present Mactan bridges are already having traffic jam especially during peak hours or even in most parts of be day. The Chronicle learned that it is also the MVP group working out for the Cebu City- Cordova bridge.