The Cebu Provincial Government is looking to remedy the poorly lit stretches of Transcentral Highway (TCH) by installing solar-powered lampposts along the national highway.
The Capitol’s move came as a response to Balamban Mayor Ace Binghay’s request for additional lighting in the area as it could be very dangerous for motorists at night navigating a foggy, dimly lit highway that traverses across Cebu’s mountain ranges.
“Even though this is a national road but this is traversed by our constituents not only going to Balamban but going to the entire Third District down to the south,” Gov. Gwen Garcia told Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) 7 director Ernesto Gregorio.
The Transcentral Highway connects Cebu City to the town of Balamban. It winds through 33 kilometers of hills and mountains and offers spectacular views of the metropolis and Mactan Island.
Director Gregorio, during their meeting at the Capitol Wednesday, January 3, welcomed the Governor’s proposal and told her that DPWH 7 is very willing to collaborate with the Province of Cebu in this endeavor.
“We are very supportive of all the efforts of the governor and the local government unit for putting up those solar lights, kasi mas maganda yun makita natin na lahat ng stretches ng national road tsaka barangay roads are fully lit at night,” Director Gregorio told Sugbo News.
Both parties are looking to enter into a memorandum of agreement that would cover the project.
The Capitol has embarked on wide-scale solar street lighting project all over the province, with Capitol-funded provincial and barangay roads now beaming with solar-powered lampposts at night. | Babie Jane Revecoy