Funding sought for trans-axial highway study

CEBU, Philippines - The Regional Development Council (RDC)-7 has asked the Department of Public Works and Highways to fund the conduct of the complete feasibility study on the Cebu Trans-Axial Highway Project.

The request was made through a resolution approved by the development council during its meeting yesterday.

Benigno Cris Lucero, officer-in-charge of the Provincial Planning and Development Office, explained that there are other aspects that should be taken into account about the propo-sal, apart from examining its technical and financial viability.

“It would be a more comprehensive study,” Lu-cero said in an interview with the media.

He added that the cost of the study has yet to be determined.

Specifically, the body pointed out the need to study the project’s demand analysis construction, operation and maintenance requirements, financial, economic and environmental viability analyses, and the possible financing mode, among others.

“The proposed highway will lead to the development of the hinterland areas of the province which may traverse several watershed areas. The proposed highway system will complement with the projected increase in urban growth and intensive land use development in the province over the next three years,” part of the council’s resolution read.

Cebu Governor Hilario Davide III, in his State of the Province Address this year, had said the plan to build the road network is not feasible yet.

He, however, made it clear that the provincial government under his administration is not giving up the proposed 300-kilometer Trans-Axial Highway project.

Based on the updated pre-feasibility study of the province, the whole project would cost P93.7 billion, higher than the P46 billion in the original pre-feasibility study conducted in 2007. — (FREEMAN)