Cebu Gov. Pamela Baricuatro has informed the Department of Public Works and Highways Central Visayas (DPWH 7), led by Regional Director Danilo Villa Jr., that the Provincial Government of Cebu is ready to take the lead in implementing the Metro Cebu Expressway (MCE) through a public-private partnership (PPP) scheme.
“The province will implement that project,” Gov. Baricuatro said. Several parties have expressed interest in forming joint ventures with the provincial government.
The governor made the announcement during a meeting with MCE stakeholders at the Capitol on October 13. City of Naga Mayor Val Chiong, DENR Assistant Regional Director Eddie Llamedo, MGB Regional Director Al Emil Berador, and EMB Regional Director Ma. [name incomplete] attended the event. Victoria Abrera, and Provincial Administrator Atty. Ace Durano.
Planners envision the MCE as an alternative backbone highway connecting the City of Naga in the south to Danao City in the north, cutting travel time from three hours to just 50 minutes across roughly 56.9 kilometers. The expressway will traverse the slopes of Cebu’s mountain range and ease traffic congestion in Metro Cebu, especially in its urban core and central business districts.
COLLAPSED PORTION
A portion of the expressway in the City of Naga collapsed during a landslide in October 2023, rendering 360 meters of the stretch impassable.
Provincial Administrator Atty. Ace Durano raised concern over the impact on Minebea Mitsumi, a manufacturing plant located in the NVIP-Special Economic Zone in Barangay Cantao-an, Naga City.
He said the company has been struggling to ferry its 6,000 employees to and from the plant due to the damaged section.
“This has become a headache for the management since the buses that ferry at least 6,000 employees to and from the plant site had to pass through the collapsed portion,” Atty. Durano said.
DPWH assured stakeholders that work on the affected area will begin soon and that access will be restored within six months.
“We will try our best to give you a lane that is safe, nga passable gyud siya,” said Engr. Nonato Paylado of DPWH. | CAPITOL PIO
