The Cebu City Government and the Municipality of Cordova are set to amend provisions of their concession agreements with the Cebu–Cordova Link Expressway to ensure that the Province of Cebu is duly represented at the Toll Regulatory Council (TRC) of CCLEX.
As it stands, Cebu City and Cordova have only one representative each at the TRC, making them a minority at the five-man toll body, whose majority members of three are representatives of the private sector.
But Gov. Gwen is a staunch advocate of Capitol representation at the TRC, especially that most of CCLEX’s daily clientele are from Cebu Province, since only Cebu City and Lapu-Lapu City are outside the Capitol’s supervisory jurisdiction.
In a meeting called by Gov. Garcia at the Capitol on October 21, CCLEX President and General Manager Allan Alfon reiterated their commitment to working closely with the Provincial Government for the benefit of the Cebuanos.
“We believe it’s fair pod. Wala ratay problema because we always work with our government partners,” Alfon told 𝗦𝘂𝗴𝗯𝗼 𝗡𝗲𝘄𝘀.
According to the agreed matters, not only will the Capitol have two representatives at the TRC, but Cebu City and Cordova will each have 2 seats at the toll body, bringing the total LGU representation to 6.
Cebu City Mayor Raymond Garcia and Cordova Vice Mayor Victor Tago, who were present at the meeting, will have to relay the matter to their respective city and municipal councils for proper authorization.
Provincial Board Members Glenn Soco, Stanley Caminero, Jiembo Borgonia, and Raymond Calderon also joined the Governor in the discussion; alongside Capitol consultant Atty. Ben Cabrido Jr.
This push also comes anew amidst concerns from the public about CCLEC’s application for an inflationary toll adjustment with the Local Toll Regulatory Council, citing the need to maintain high operational standards of the 8.9-kilometer bridge connecting Cebu City to Cordova in Mactan Island.
Gov. Garcia asked Alfon to defer the toll hike until the amendments to the agreement are completed and once the new members of the TRC, including representatives from Cebu Province, can participate in the decision-making process. | BJR