Governor Gwen Garcia witnessed the signing of the memorandum of understanding (MOU) for the construction of another important public infrastructure in Cebu: the Lapu-Lapu Expressway.
LLEX, a 12-kilometer, four-lane expressway that would link the end of Cebu Cordova Link Expressway (CCLEX) to the Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA), will be built through a public-private partnership (PPP) between the Lapu-Lapu City Government and the Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation (MPTC) of businessman Manny Pangilinan.
“It warms my heart to see yet another collaboration between the public and private sector. I have always been an advocate for PPP, or the Public-Private Partnership, because I believe this is the only way to go,” Governor Gwen said during the program, adding that the government could not work as fast the private sector because of the many bureaucratic requirements set by law in order to protect public funds.
With the Government partnering with the private sector in building important infrastructure, progress and development could be ushered in more swiftly with the government not needing to spend public funds.
Pangilinan, chairman of the MVP Group of Companies, expressed his admiration for Cebu.
“It’s always great to visit Cebu because Cebu is my second home. We have made significant investments in your province,” he said during the signing. “I promise to build a better future for Cebu and the Cebuanos,” he added.
The MVP Group, through its subsidiary Cebu Cordova Link Expressway Corp. (CCLEC), officially signed an MOU with the Lapu-Lapu City government and Premium Megastructures Inc. (PMI) for the development of the 12-kilometer Lapu-Lapu Expressway (LLEX).
The signing ceremony, held today at the CCLEC main building, was attended by key officials, including Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Junard Chan, and other stakeholders.
Once completed, the LLEX will provide a seamless alternative route, reducing travel time from mainland Cebu to MCIA, the second busiest airport in the country, while decongesting the two existing Mactan-Mandaue bridges. | JMT