𝐌𝐂𝐁𝐌𝐁 𝐒𝐄𝐓𝐒 𝐅𝐈𝐑𝐒𝐓 𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐀𝐓𝐄𝐆𝐈𝐂 𝐏𝐋𝐀𝐍𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐈𝐍 𝐍𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐋𝐘 𝟑𝟎 𝐘𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐒
The Mactan-Cebu Bridge Management Board (MCBMB) will hold its first-ever strategic planning session in September, marking a major step toward strengthening long-term governance and infrastructure planning for the bridges linking Cebu and Mactan Island nearly three decades after the board was created.
The strategic planning, approved during the MCBMB board meeting presided over by Board Chairperson and Governor Pamela Baricuatro at the Cebu Provincial Capitol on July 21, is expected to establish the board’s long-term direction and align future infrastructure policies with the Cebu Provincial Government’s vision of building a “future-ready Cebu.”
The meeting was attended by members of the board, including Cordova Mayor Cesar Suan, Vice Chairman Dr. Pericles Dakay, and representatives from various government agencies, including the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Land Transportation Office (LTO), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), Naval Forces Central, Mactan-Cebu International Airport Authority (MCIAA), Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway (CCLEX) represented by Engr. Allan Alfon, and Cebu Port Authority (CPA) General Manager Francisco Comendador III, among others.
FUTURE-READY CEBU
According to Elizar Sabinay Jr. of the Provincial Planning and Development Office, the strategic planning supports Governor Pamela Baricuatro’s vision of creating a “future-ready Cebu.”
“Since 1999, there has been no strategic planning. This is the first through the leadership of Gov. Pam, nga very evidence-, data-driven planning will come,” Sabinay said.
The MCBMB was created through Executive Order No. 181, signed by former President Joseph Estrada in December 1999, to coordinate the development, management, and use of the bridges connecting Cebu and Mactan Island.
Chaired by the Cebu governor, the board reviews and approves policies, plans, projects, rules, and regulations governing the bridges and ensures their effective implementation by concerned agencies.
“We know the functions, but what’s our direction? Mao nay kuwang. That’s why the question is what do we want to happen by 2030?” Sabinay said.
Sabinay said the strategic planning will consider key developments expected by 2030, including the construction of a fourth bridge linking Cebu and Mactan, the establishment of an international port in Consolacion, the projected end of the service life of the first Mactan-Cebu Bridge, and the anticipated increase in vehicle traffic across the province.
“The direction of Gov as a whole is to prepare Cebu on what’s to come. All projects are not just projects that address today’s problems but also tomorrow’s,” he said.
To date, the MCBMB has expanded its jurisdiction to include the management of the Cansaga Bay Bridge, which connects Mandaue City and the Municipality of Consolacion. /𝑪𝑨𝑷𝑰𝑻𝑶𝑳 𝑷𝑰𝑶, 𝑷𝒉𝒐𝒕𝒐𝒔 𝒃𝒚 𝑨𝑹𝑱
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