The Cebu Provincial Government engaged private sector leaders and local as well national government agencies to discuss steps aimed at expediting the completion of the Metro Cebu Expressway (MCE) Project.
Governor Gwen Garcia, leading the charge in a meeting held on February 10, said she will issue an executive order to form a Technical Working Group (TWG) to ensure smooth coordination between all parties involved.
The meeting was attended by Ruben Camba, Acciona’s Director for Infrastructure in Southeast Asia, along with representatives from the Japanese Taisei Corporation. The Spanish company Acciona, which undertook the construction of the Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway (CCLEX), is partnering this time with the Japanese Taisei Corp. to study the financial viability of the MCE.
Representatives from LGUs whose jurisdictions will be traversed by the MCE project as well as other government agencies set to assist in fast-tracking the project were also present. These included representatives from the City of Naga, Talisay City, Minglanilla, Cebu City; as well as officials from DENR-EMB, DPWH, and LTO.
The group aligned their efforts and strategies to complete as quickly as possible the 73.7-kilometer expressway that is set to link the City of Naga in the south to Danao City in the north via Cebu’s mountain ranges.
The project, if approved, will be implemented under a joint venture agreement between the Capitol and Acciona Infrastructure with Taisei Corp.
The focus of the partnership is not just on meeting deadlines, but also overcoming challenges that had caused delays when the project was yet undertaken by DPWH, such as environmental concerns and safety issues.
A key part of the meeting was the discussion of a five-month financial viability study, where teams will assess construction costs, traffic impacts, and right-of-way acquisition pricing. The study will lay the groundwork for a successful project roll-out, with bi-weekly progress meetings planned to ensure timelines are met.
The Capitol received strong backing from LGU representatives, who reaffirmed their commitment to the MCE Project.
Governor Garcia highlighted the importance of teamwork, stating, “Remember, each and every one of you plays a vital role in this history-making project that will benefit generations to come.”
The MCE has faced significant delays under the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), primarily due to environmental impact and safety concerns. However, with the Cebu Provincial Government now taking the lead, this public-private partnership (PPP) aims to overcome these obstacles and bring the project to completion.
Governor Garcia's push for a coordinated and efficient approach signals a fresh start for the MCE project, which is expected to ease traffic congestion in Metro Cebu by providing an alternative connectivity route for thousands of travelers daily. | JMT
