𝐑𝐃𝐂-𝟕 𝐁𝐀𝐂𝐊𝐒 𝐂𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐎𝐅 𝐕𝐈𝐒𝐀𝐘𝐀𝐒 𝐃𝐎𝐓𝐑 𝐎𝐅𝐅𝐈𝐂𝐄, 𝐎𝐊𝐀𝐘𝐒 𝐊𝐄𝐘 𝐈𝐍𝐅𝐑𝐀 𝐏𝐑𝐎𝐉𝐄𝐂𝐓𝐒
The Regional Development Council in Central Visayas (RDC-7) approved several priority infrastructure initiatives for Cebu Province and threw its support behind the creation of a dedicated Department of Transportation (DOTr) regional office for the Visayas.
During its first quarter full council meeting on Monday, March 30, the RDC-7, chaired by Cebu Governor Pamela Baricuatro, passed resolutions endorsing the regional transport office and approving key initiatives, including a street lighting project worth P6.5 million in the northern town of Medellin.
The Medellin project will be funded by the Cebu Provincial Government through the Regional Share from the Enhanced Energy Regulations (ER 1-94) Program, which provides benefits to host communities of energy facilities.
In a significant move to streamline transport governance in the region, the council approved a recommendation requesting the national government to issue an Executive Order establishing a DOTr regional office for the Visayas, to be based in Cebu.
The proposed regional office aims to strengthen the implementation of major transport projects across the Visayas, with a focus on flagship initiatives in Central Visayas such as the Cebu Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), New Cebu International Container Port, and the upgrade, expansion, operations, and maintenance of the Bohol-Panglao International Airport.
During the meeting, the council also assessed other DOTr projects currently in the pre-project preparation stage, such as the Cebu BRT Operations and Maintenance, the Cebu Public Transport Modernization Program, the Cebu Urban MRT Central Line, and the Panglao-Tagbilaran BRT.
𝐋𝐚𝐩𝐮-𝐋𝐚𝐩𝐮 𝐂𝐨𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐑𝐨𝐚𝐝
Meanwhile, the council approved the committee’s recommendation urging the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Central Office to submit the Lapu-Lapu Coastal Road Project to the Investment Coordination Committee (ICC) of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) for approval.
The RDC-7 also resolved to request the DPWH central office to furnish the council with key project documents, including the feasibility study, the Gender and Development (GAD) report, and the Resettlement Action Plan to ensure transparency and readiness.
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