At least 45 barangays in nine Cebu LGUs have expressed their opposition to the Department of Public Works and Highways’ (DPWH) new alignment of the Metro Cebu Expressway (MCE) route.
Of the affected barangays, 5 are from the City of Naga, 5 are from Minglanilla, 3 from Talisay City, 11 are from Cebu City, 3 from Mandaue City, 5 from Consolacion, 4 from Liloan, 4 from Compostela, and 5 from Danao City.
The said barangay officials expressed their opposition in a February 22 meeting at the Capitol Social Hall that was also attended by Gov. Gwen Garcia, City of Naga Mayor Val Chiong, Consolacion Mayor Nene Alegado, Liloan Mayor Aljew Frasco, and Compostela Mayor Felijur Quiño.
The opposition came after it was revealed that DPWH has changed the route of MCE so that it now passes through densely populated barangays of cities and towns that it traverses.
MCE is a 56.9-kilometer expressway that will serve as a north-to-south backbone highway, enabling a continuous traffic flow from the City of Naga in the south to Danao City in the north while traversing the slopes of Cebu’s scenic mountain range.
“Let me just make it very clear: wala may ni-oppose nga maghimo ta og alternative, nga himoa pa nang super-super expressway. Pero wala gyod ko kasabot nganong dili man mo moagi didtos bukid?” Gov. Gwen asked DPWH officials present, led by regional director Ernesto Gregorio Jr.
“Nganong inyo mang giusab? Why are you choosing the thickly populated areas? That’s going to be very bloody, very expensive of course. It will increase the budget,” the governor added.
In response, DPWH officials told the governor that the sudden change of the route came from the Central Office and the regional headquarters is just implementing it.
Barangay officials have also expressed their fears about the dangers the project has caused, including collapsed and cracked roads, minor landslides, and flooding.
On February 8, Gov. Garcia ordered DPWH 7 to temporarily stop its construction until a comprehensive assessment of the project’s environmental and safety compliance is completed.
DENR 7 executive director Paquito Melicor and EMB 7 director Ma. Victoria Abrera were also present during the meeting. | Babie Jane Revecoy