Villar to push for 4th bridge in Cebu

CEBU, Philippines —  Senatorial candidate Mark Villar has promised to continue pushing for the construction of a fourth bridge connecting Mactan Island to the mainland Cebu if he gets elected to the senate in the upcoming May 9 elections.

Villar, former secretary of the Department of Public Works and Highways, said he wants to see the proposed 3.3-kilometer bridge from Consolacion to Lapu-Lapu City into fruition. He recalled how he was instrumental in the construction of various projects in Cebu during his stint as DPWH secretary.

Among the projects he helped build include school buildings at Tayud Elementary School in Consolacion, Dalaguete Evacuation Center, Metro Cebu Expressway; and Metro Cebu bike lane network in Cebu City, Talisay City, Mandaue City, and Lapu-Lapu City.

Villar, who is ranked number two among the top 12 senatorial candidates in the latest Pulse Asia survey, said that performance is very important for someone seeking an elective office like him.

“Importante sa ating mga kababayan yung performance, kung wala tayong maipakita na project or success story syempre hindi naman matutuwa sa akin ang ating mga kababayan,” Villar said.

He credited the success of the Build Build Build program of the good survey ratings he currently enjoyed.

Villar said he wants to help in the Senate ensure that the program will continue even after the Duterte administration.

 “Kaya importante ang continuity at yun ang ipaglalaban ko kaya tumakbo akong senador para nagkaroon ng continuity ang Build Build Build,” Villar said.

“Kasi pagdating sa mga flagship projects kailangan talaga ang continuity dahil mahaba ang planning period ng mga big ticket projects. Dahil gagawa ka pa ng feasibility study at detailed engineering design. Mahabang proseso kaya kailangan din ang long term continuity  para matapos lahat yung mga big ticket projects,” he added.

One of the big ticket projects under the Build Build Build program is the Metro Cebu Expressway which, Villar said, will significantly address the traffic problem in Metro Cebu.

Villar was in Cebu yesterday as part of his campaign sorties. He paid a courtesy call on Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia at the Capitol. — FPL (FREEMAN)