MANILA — House Deputy Speaker Janette Garin underscored the economic benefits of completing bridges that will connect the islands of the Visayas, saying the projects will enhance accessibility, spur trade, and attract more investments to the region.

In a Friday interview, Garin said the inter-island bridges will make transporting goods between islands faster and more efficient.

“Kapag napatupad ang connectivity na ’yan… ’yung aming sharing of agricultural products, ’yung sharing ng educational institutions, even the specialized healthcare,” the First District Representative said.

“This will actually improve the economy of Visayas,” she added.

Garin said the Visayas Caucus has been pushing for the construction of key infrastructure projects, including the Iloilo–Guimaras Bridge, Guimaras–Negros Bridge, Negros–Cebu Bridge, and the Negros Occidental–Negros Oriental Bridge.

She noted that these projects are expected to attract more investors to set up businesses in the islands, creating jobs and driving growth.

The initiative is being pursued under the leadership of House Speaker Martin Romualdez, representative of the First District of Leyte.