Gwen asks Arroyo to help hasten north road project

CEBU, Philippines – Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia has asked President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to help speed up the completion of the Cebu North Coastal Road Project (CNCRP) particularly the expansion of Tayud-Consolacion-Liloan Provincial Road.

Garcia yesterday asked the president to allow the downloading of funds allotted for the CNCRP to the Department of Public Works and Highways Central Visayas (DPWH-7).

The funds will push the expansion of the Tayud-Consolacion-Liloan road from two lanes to four lanes. This shall help decongest traffic in the northern part of Metro Cebu.

The 9.45-kilometer four-way-lane coastal road will traverse the towns of Liloan and Consolacion and end in Mandaue City.

The CNCRP is funded through the regular DPWH Infrastructure Fund. It is part of the President’s 149 priority infrastructure projects.

Garcia said that since it is a national government project, funding comes directly from the central office, which usually takes time to reach the region, thus, causing delays.

About P350 million will initially be downloaded to the DPWH-7 for the specific project, according to Press Secretary Cerge Remonde.

Garcia said that this decentralization of funds will speed up the construction considering the budget will readily be available.

 This also poses advantage to local bidders and contractors as they will be prioritized.

“I requested that the funds be downloaded to the region so our local contractors will be given priority while helping our local economy,” Garcia said.

Capitol Consultant Lawyer Rory John Sepulveda said that the province has indeed received the impression that development on the project is very slow.

He said that through the request of the governor, they will also be able to monitor the release of funds and development of the project.

“The governor is concerned and would like to fast track the projects because it would be to the best interest of the Cebuanos.” – Jessica Ann R. Pareja/NLQ (THE FREEMAN)