RDC asking for release of funds for road project

CEBU, Philippines - The Regional Development Council has requested the national government for the immediate release of P359 million to finance the construction of the road component of the Cebu North Coastal Road project from barangay Tayud in Consolacion town to Liloan town proper.

The RDC-7 in a resolution said they hope the national government will fast track the release of the said amount, as they also requested the Office of the Press Secretary in Central Visayas to facilitate the availability and release of funds for the implementation of the road component of the project.

They also instructed the Department of Public Works and Highways in Central Visayas to look into the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement between the DPWH and the Cebu provincial government as a requirement for the release of funds.

The construction of the Cebu North Coastal Road Project has been monitored by the Regional Project Monitoring Committee as this is one of the flagship projects of President Gloria Arroyo.

Although the Cansaga Bay bridge component of the project has been implemented ahead of schedule, the road component that would complement the bridge has not been started.

Upon the instruction of Arroyo during the Cabinet meeting in Cebu, the road component will be implemented by the Cebu provincial government.

It was learned that the agreement between the DPWH and the Cebu provincial government, which wants to take over the outlet road from the Cansaga Bay Bridge into Liloan town was not yet finalized.

The draft agreement was returned to the regional office pending a certification from the Department of Budget and Management that the funds for road rehabilitation are available.

The road portion, including civil works and right-of-way expenses, costs close to P359 million and is to be sourced from the National Disaster Coordinating Council.

In an earlier meeting of the RDC-7 Infrastructure Development committee, provincial engineer Eulogio Pelayre said Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia has already instructed his office to start widening the road from the bridge.

Pelayre also reported that provincial and public works engineers have already conducted a joint survey to determine the properties that will be affected by the road widening.

The coastal road provides a faster link between the sea and airports to Liloan town, Danao City, and other northern towns of Cebu. Aside from the Cansaga Bridge, the project also requires the improvement and widening of an existing interior provincial road which will run from Consolacion town up to Liloan town.

The Cebu North Coastal Road will start from UN Avenue near the Marcelo Fernan Bridge connecting the mainland to Mactan Island, straddle the coastlines of Mandaue City and town of Consolacion, and exits in Liloan town. –Jose P. Sollano/BRP (FREEMAN NEWS)