With opening of CCLEX: More projects seen

CEBU, Philippines —  Cebu can expect more infrastructure projects to pour in with the opening of the Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway (CCLEX), the third bridge that connects mainland Cebu and the island of Mactan.

CCLEX was inaugurated on April 27, 2022, with no less than President Rodrigo Duterte present, about five years since breaking ground in 2017.

“Ako ang nag-ground break nito and I thank God na ako ang nag-inaugurate ngayon… of course, with Sir Manny Pangilinan… This is a vital link between Cebu City and Cordova, Mactan Island,” the President said.

He said CCLEX is aligned with his administration’s vision of a “strongly connected nation.”

Acting Secretary Roger Mercado of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) said the department is now looking at projects that will complement the bridge.

These include the 4.4-kilometer road project at the South Road Properties; the CCLEX-SRP back road extension connector bridge; the 1.1-kilometer Mambaling South boulevard; the 3.9-kilometer Cebu City south boulevard; and 15-kilometer Talisay-Minglanilla-Naga coastal road.

Mercado said CCLEX is anticipated to enhance the network performance of the entire road system in Cebu, specifically the Metro Cebu road network.

“Substantial saving shall also be generated due to faster movement of trade and people which would translate to more income due to reduced travel time as well as vehicle operating cost,” Mercado said.

CCLEX was built by Cebu Cordova Link Expressway Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation (MPTC), in partnership with the Municipality of Cordova and Cebu City.

The P33-billion, 8.9-kilometer bridge connects Cordova town in Mactan Island to the South Road Properties in Cebu City. Its foundations were built with concrete piles buried 70 meters deep in the seabed, designed and constructed to withstand extreme natural phenomenon such as earthquakes and typhoons.

According to CCLEX, pedestrians from the South Road Properties will have access to the bridge through a 200-meter footbridge, which will connect to the sidewalk of the CCLEX on ramp.

CCLEX has 1.5-meter dedicated lanes for pedestrians and bicycles.

 “We are happy to have been involved in building this piece of magnificent infrastructure for our countrymen in Cebu,” said MPTC Chairman Manuel Pangilinan.

Pangilinan said CCLEX will bring in more investments, stimulate trade and commerce, revitalize tourism, and give a collective sense of pride among Cebuanos.

In his speech, Duterte thanked Pangilinan for spending more than the original budget of P27 billion.

Duterte said he expects CCLEX to provide Cebuanos and everyone going through Cebu “a safer, faster, and more convenient means to deliver the goods.”

Dream come true

Cordova Mayor Mary Therese Cho describes CCLEX as a dream come true for Cebuanos but also for her father, the late Cordova Mayor Adelino Sitoy, who lobbied for the project.

If only Sitoy was present physically to witness the inauguration, Cho said.

“To thank God he made it possible all these things and, of course, my father in heaven. Sayang wala siya diri, this is really his brainchild, so sayang… If I could ask God to bring him back here and be physically present, maayo unta diba?” Cho said in a speech.

She thanked everyone involved in the project and made particular mention to Duterte and CCLEX.

“As the mayor of the Municipality of Cordova, I am really grateful today,” Cho said.

For his part, Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama also thanked the late President Benigno Aquino III.

“The planning of the construction of the CCLEX was done during the time of PNoy and a brainchild of Sec. Sitoy,” Rama said.

He also acknowledged the late Cebu City Mayor Edgardo Labella and former Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña.

“This is a dream that I share jointly with Cordova, the late Adi Sitoy… I thank Mayor Tomas Osmeña for continuously pursuing it… I thank the late Edgardo Colina Labella, and I thank, most of all, MVP and Metro Pacific… when we discussed it when I was the mayor, they have manifested their vote of confidence… and I thank Cordova because you cannot be CCLEX without Cordova. We cannot have CCLEX with Cebu City alone or Cordova alone… it’s a bridge so the two have to be together,” Rama said.

Dignitaries

Joining Duterte and Pangilinan were Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade, Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez, Mercado, and officials from other government agencies.

Also joining the ceremony were Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia, Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes, and Cebu Sixth District Rep. Emmarie Ouano-Dizon, among others.

Also present were Korean Consul General Song Sewon, Denmark Ambassador Grete Sillasen, Philippine Ambassador to Denmark Leo Herrera-Lim, Ambassador of Spain Jorge Moragas Sanchez, and Honorary Consul of Spain Anton Perdices, among other diplomatic dignitaries.

Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma led the blessing of the bridge.

It was also Palma who blessed the eight 40-meter tall crosses installed on top of CCLEX’s main bridge pylons. Inspired by the cross planted by Ferdinand Magellan in Cebu, the crosses were lit on April 15, 2021. —  Caecent No-ot Magsumbol and Le Phyllis F. Antojadom, JMO (FREEMAN)