Sanchez eyes quick release of funds for road widening

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu Vice Governor Gregorio Sanchez, Jr. yesterday said he will help lobby with the administration of President-elect Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III the immediate release of the P359 million to finance the road widening from Cansaga Bay Bridge in Consolacion town to Barangay Poblacion in Liloan town.

Sanchez made the assurance after being informed that until now, the national government failed to release the amount to the provincial government.

However, Sanchez said he would first verify with the Department of Public Works and Highways the procedures on the release of the money.

Sanchez explained that the road widening project is important to ease the flow of traffic in Mandaue City and Consolacion town.

When asked if he favors that the amount be released directly to the provincial government, Sanchez said he has to study the matter.

President Arroyo had approved the request of the Cebu provincial government to release directly to the province the P359 million for the road widening project.

The president also directed the DPWH to closely coordinate with the provincial government.

Although there is a move for the signing of the memorandum of agreement between DPWH and the provincial government, it was not clear if this was materialized.

Capitol consultant Rory Jon Sepulveda expressed disappointment that the national government has not released the budget for the project with only a little over a month left before the next administration will take over.

Sepulveda, however, is confident that Aquino will prioritize the project when he assumed the presidency.

The road widening project, starting from Cansaga Bay Bridge to Barangay Poblacion, Liloan, is very important to ease the traffic problem. The Capitol is taking over the supervision of the project from the DPWH.

According to Sepulveda, the Department of Budget and Management has not certified the availability of the funds for the project, which is necessary for their release. The project needs P359 million for the civil works and right-of-way acquisition.

The project will complement the P2.36-billion Cebu North Coastal Road which was open to the public early this year.

The highway, hinged on a 1.25-kilometer, four-lane offshore bridge over Cansaga Bay in Consolacion town north of Mandaue City, is the final half of the second north-south road corridor in Metro Cebu.

Meanwhile, the provincial government hopes that Aquino will prioritize projects that would improve the economic conditions of Cebuanos.

Sepulveda said that he believes that Aquino will set aside politics and work for the development of the country.

Sepulveda said Aquino is different from his “alipores” in Cebu who made pronouncements that funds for Cebu projects will be directly coursed through defeated governor candidate Hilario Davide III and Sanchez.

According to Sepulveda, both Davide and Sanchez did not probably know that funds for national projects are released directly to different line agencies in Region-7.

Sepulveda said funds for road and bridge projects are released directly to the DPWH while those for school buildings and classrooms will be released directly to the Department of Education.

“Wala seguro nakahibawo si Greg nga ang mga proyekto nga ipatuman sa nasudnong kagamhanan ipaagi sa mga nagkalain-laing ahensiya nga nagbase sa Sugbo,” said Sepulveda.

He also belittled Sanchez’s statement that projects of Aquino in Cebu will be directly released to him and Davide. Davide needs one year before he can accept any government position.

Earlier, Sanchez said he would lobby with Aquino the construction of the Trans-Axial Highway in Cebu. — THE FREEMAN