RDC-7 boasts infra projects

CEBU, Philippines — Regional Development Council (RDC)-7 Chairman Kenneth Cobonpue has boasted of big infrastructure projects in the region that are now ongoing and other accomplishments in the last three years during his State of Region Address.

Cobonpue, who assumed as RDC chairperson in 2017, have discussed with the DPWH Secretary Mark Villar certain infrastructure projects for implementation in various parts of the region.

Two years later, he reported the updates on these projects. Initial release of P600 million was realized in 2017 and 2018:

1. The Metro Cebu Expressway – Road right-of-way negotiations are ongoing while some sections have been paved for this P28-billion project which would span from the City of Naga in the south to Danao City in the north.

2. Talisay-Minglanilla-Naga and Mandaue-Consolacion-Liloan Bypass roads – These projects, worth P200 million each, are on the list of the proposed priority programs, activities, and projects of DPWH 7 included in the budget proposal of the DPWH for FY 2020.

3. Guadalupe-Lahug Diversion Road – The detailed engineering design for this P40-million project is part of the list of proposed priority programs, activities, and projects of the DPWH-7 for inclusion in the budget proposal of the DPWH Central Office for FY 2020.

4. Fourth Mandaue-Mactan Link Bridge with Mandaue Coastal Road – The feasibility study for this project will be completed and finalized in September 2019. The project is proposed to be funded through the Official Development Assistance, specifically the Japanese Government. As such, it will require approval by the NEDA Board.

5) Metro Cebu Flood Control and Drainage Master Plan – Under the 2019 General Appropriations Act, P90 million is allocated for the conduct of detailed engineering design for flood control projects in Metro Cebu.

6) New Panglao Offshore Bridge Connector – Road right-of-way negotiations are ongoing for the P4.4-billion bridge in Bohol. Initial release of P300 million was made in 2018.

7) Cang-alwang Airport in Siquijor – Construction of apron of runway and earthworks are already completed, construction of new passenger terminal building and other structures are 26 percent completed, while expansion of the runway and all other structures at the airport are 68.57 percent completed.

8) Cebu-Negros-Panay Power Interconnection Project and Cebu-Bohol Power Interconnection Project.

9) New Cebu International Container Port wherein construction will soon start

10) Acquisition for the new site of the new Dumaguete airport is ongoing

"The progress of these projects tells us that, if we work together, we can build a strong foundation for a better future," said Cobonpue in his speech.

Cobonpue also reported that RDC-7 is the first RDC in the country to form a Special Committee on Culture, Arts and Design to boost the region’s creative industry, one that is close to his heart and is considered one of the strengths of Central Visayas.

RDC-7 also formed an Environment Committee to help address the growing number of environmental concerns being faced by local government units in the region.

He said that RDC-7 is also making progress in the initiative to institute improvements in passenger services in Central Visayas port terminals wherein more shipping companies have expressed willingness to integrate port terminal fees into the ticket-booking process to reduce passenger queues at the ports.

The RDC has also signed a historic tripartite agreement with the Philippine Commission on Women to ensure a continued collaboration and sharing of resources to sustain efforts to promote gender mainstreaming in the region.

Cobonpue also said that to date, Central Visayas is still one of the country’s fastest growing regional economies, with the region being the fourth highest in terms of growth rate and posting a growth momentum pegged at an annual average of 6.8 percent for the last five years.—  GAN (FREEMAN)