P14B projects for city

CEBU, Philippines - Over P14.3 billion worth of infrastructure projects may be implemented in Cebu City next year should these be approved by the Department of Budget and Management, Congress, and the Office of the President.

The amount to be used is under the Department of Public Works and Highways account for both the city’s two legislative districts.

This was disclosed by Cebu City Development Council (CCDC) Secretary Ma. Concepcion Encabo who also heads the Cebu City Planning and Development Council.

CCDC held its first full meeting yesterday, which was attended by representatives of 40 out of 80 barangays and 17 civil society organizations.

Encabo said these projects have been approved by the CCDC sectoral group and Regional Development Office last month. The projects will be forwarded to DBM, Congress, and the OP for funding.

For the city’s first (north) district under Congressman Raul del Mar, the projects include a 6.5 kilometer underpass or skyway along Archbishop Reyes – Governor Cuenco, Avenue worth P7.3 billion; a 1.7-kilometer underpass or skyway along Cardinal Rosales Avenue to F. Cabahug Street worth P1.9 billion; and a 2.77-kilometer underpass or skyway along Salinas Drive to J. Luna Avenue worth P3.1 billion.

Another P250 million is for the Guadalupe to Lahug Bypass Road and road concreting projects in Barangays Day-as, Tinago, T. Padilla, Tejero, San Roque, Zapatera, Kamputhaw, Cogon Ramos, Capitol Site, Sta. Cruz, Lorega San Miguel, Parian, Kalubihan, and Mabolo, among others.

For the city’s second (south) district under Congressman Rodrigo Abellanosa, P7 million is budgeted for a feasibility study for the construction of a 6.3-kilometer Cebu Trans-Axial Highway in Barangays Kalunasan, Sapangdaku, Buhisan, Quiot, Pardo and Bulacao.

Other projects for the district include the P220 million worth of flood control and drainage system projects in Barangays Buhisan, Duljo-Fatima, and the Basak-Pardo River Basin.

The Department of Health (DOH) also pushed for a P660 million worth of health facilities enhancement programs and other maintenance and other operating expenses.

Meanwhile, the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) has proposed a P38 million for the irrigation projects in Barangays Adlaon, Guba, Paril, Lusaran, Agsungot, Pung-ol Sibugay, Tagbao, and Tabunan, among others.

The budget also includes the feasibility study for the dam project in Barangay Lusaran.

The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), for its part, is pushing for a P60-million worth of rehabilitation of the regional training center and the upgrading of training equipment and machineries for different courses. (FREEMAN)