Rama urged: Push Cebu's infra projects

CEBU, Philippines - A coalition of business chambers and civil society organizations has urged Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama to endorse various infrastructure projects for funding under the 2013 budget of the Department of Public Works and Highways.

The Cebu Business Club in coalition with 14 business chambers and civil society organizations through CBC president Gordon Alan Joseph asked Rama, who chairs the Regional Development Council (RDC-7), to work for the funding of these projects which are expected to cost at least P8 billion.

These projects have been identified as critical road infrastructures that would boost development in the province.

Joseph said the private sector believes that the projects are “very much needed for competitiveness and the continued growth and development of Cebu.”

The list of projects submitted by the group to Rama was the result of the two meetings of the technical working group on December 2, 2011 and February 21, 2012 and the final consultation meeting with the members of the coalition on March 2, 2012.

The coalition asked the RDC, through Rama, to endorse the projects to DPWH Secretary Rogelio L. Singson for inclusion in the DPWH’s priority list of projects for implementation in 2013.

The list includes six road projects in Cebu City namely the widening of M.J. Cuenco Avenue, junction improvements in Parklane and Tesda areas, widening of N. Bacalso Avenue, concreting and widening of the Banilad-Talamban road with road right-of-way acquisition and the construction of the Cebu City Inner Circumferential Road.

The widening of M.J. Cuenco Ave. will be from General Maxilom junction to Juan Luna junction particularly in Mabolo Church to decongest the choke point going to Mabolo and Mandaue from Cebu City.

The improvements in the junctions of Parklane and Tesda would cost P60 million sought to ensure safety of pedestrian and the smooth traffic flow.

The inner circumferential road was a project being pushed since 1993. It will cost about P5.7 billion. The circumferential road will connect the north to south line of Cebu major thoroughfares. It will consist of five segments together with five distributor roads for a more comprehensive road network.

Other projects sought for endorsement of the RDC are the widening of H. Cortes Road that is parallel to Ban-Tal and the improvement of Logarta St. to relieve the congestion in the segment leading to the two bridges connecting Mandaue City and Mactan Island.

The coalition also endorses two flyovers at the junction of ML Quezon and Plaridel St. in Mandaue city and at the junction of UN Avenue and Plaridel Street. There is also the widening of the Mactan Circumferential road that they have been pushing since last year.

In the Cebu province, the projects beings pushed by the coalition are the Cebu Southwest Road, the widening and concreting of Talisay – Naga and Naga – Carcar Road, the continuation of the diversion road Carcar Rotunda Heritage Area, the widening and improvement of Tayud Provincial Road and the 8.17-kilometer Cebu North Coastal Highway to cost P825 million. – (FREEMAN)