Mayor Ahong Chang’s SOCA: More projects, roads eyed in Lapu-Lapu

CEBU, Philippines — Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Junard Chan has lined up more than 20 infrastructure projects to address traffic and flooding problems in the city as well as construction of other buildings that will spur economic development in the city.

In his second State of the City Address (SONA) yesterday, Chan said the city government will open new roads that include one in Pakpakan going to Collinwood, from George Tampus Road to the Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway (CCLEX), George Tampus Road to Timpolok-Calolo in Barangay Babag; and from Tacan, Babag going to Basak-Subabasbas.

The George Tampus Road and the Barangay Punta Engaño Road will be widened to further ease traffic in the city.

The city will also construct a diversion road from Barangay Calawisan to Barangay Babag, construct a skywalk in front of Gaisano Grand Plaza in Basak; construct skywalks at the junction of Humay-Humay and M. Patalinjug Avenue, in front of Gate 5 in Barangay Ibo, and another one in front of the Cebu Light Industrial Park.

Speaking before the jampacked Hoops Dome, Chan also bats for more infrastructure projects to address the flooding problem in the city that includes the construction of a box culvert-type drainage system along George Tampus Road leading to an outfall with flood gate.

This also includes the improved road with drainage facilities at Agaton Soronio to SubaMasulog-SubaPanas and Subabasbas Road; Soong Road, Bankal and Mactan; Barangays Agus and Pajac; Timpolok Road, Brgy. Gun-ob; and A. Tumulak Road in Barangay Gun-ob.

The mayor added that other major projects that are happening this year includes the construction of the P800-million New Lapu-Lapu City Hall Building, construction of a multi-purpose building beside the Hoops Dome which will house an indoor skatepark as well as a badminton and arnis court.

He also said that the construction of a socialized housing in a 25-hectare lot in Canjulao will also be undertaken, including the construction of the first Skyway in the Visayas and Mindanao which will connect CCLEX to the airport with access to Barangay Bankal going to the residential areas and major resorts in the city.

“This is an income generating (project) as this is a Public-Private Partnership project with no cost to the city. It will ease traffic and cut short travel time to 12 minutes from Cebu City to the airport. And I am proud to announce that construction will commence by September of this year,” the mayor said.

Also, the construction of the 4th bridge connecting Mandaue to ICM in Barangay Ibo, construction of a boardwalk along the coastal road connecting the 1st, 2nd and the 4th bridge, construction of the Mactan North Reclamation Development Project are also underway.

Chan said there will also be a 400-hectare island-type reclamation project along the coast of Ibo, Buaya, Mactan and Punta Engaño. It will house an international seaport, container port, entertainment, shopping area, theme park, golf course, processing zone, commercial buildings, condominium units, resorts and waterparks.

The mayor also boasts of the city’s accomplishments on their drive against illegal drugs, improved delivery of health services and disaster response, delivery of financial assistance to its senior citizens, urban poor and other beneficiaries, among others.

For its illegal drugs campaign, its police force have arrested 151 most wanted individuals, 55 high value individuals and seized a total of 527,761.21 grams of shabu amounting to a P392.8 million since December 2022.

With the economy gradually bouncing back after the pandemic, employment is promising in the tourism and hospitality industry.

The mayor added that tourist arrival has increased from 5,727 in 2021 to 71,177 in 2022, which can be translated to 1,240 percent growth in tourist arrival. From January to May of this year, 3.9 million arrivals were recorded for both domestic and international airport.

“To accommodate tourist influx, new world-class hotels like Sheraton & Belmont have opened recently and Rockwell is likely to open very soon,” Chan said.

The mayor added that to help promote the city as a key tourist destination, and to help tourist navigate through the various tourist spots and accommodations, they have also launched the Lapu-Lapu City Virtual Tourism Map in partnership with Mata.ph.

“Let us continue to stay united, maintain the momentum, sustain the gains and together let’s make Lapu-Lapu City a world class premier city in the country,” Chan said.

The People’s SOCA 2023 was attended by the Consul Generals from Japan Hideki Yamaji, South Korea Song Sewon. Spain Anton Mari Perdices, and about 10,000 Oponganons.

Also present in the SOCA was the Presidential Assistant for the Visayas, Sec. Terrence Calatrava, Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia, Tingog Partylist Regional Chair for the Visayas Happy Calatrava, Central Command Chief, Lt.Gen. Benedict Arevalo.

Oponganons and different urban groups just like Solo Parents, senior citizens, Market Vendors, Cooperatives, fisher folks, Persons with Disability (PWDs), Kababayen-an and Kalipi, Alpha Kappa Rho (AKRHO) are also present to witness the SOCA.

In an interview with The FREEMAN, a member from woman group in Lapu-Lapu City called Kababayen-an and Kalipi, Novelyn A. Gallarde, has thanked the present administration for the projects that the mayor had accomplished in his term.

"Nindot jud kaayo ang iyang serbisyo. Samot na sa mga kabatan-onan nga gitutukan og maayo ang programa sa sports," Gallarde said.

On the other hand, a local vendor shared her sentiments in providing better programs for all vendors in the city.

"Akong hangyo lang unta, maytag dili lang mi ma-demolish kay mao ra man gud na ang among panginabuhian," the vendor stressed.

Meanwhile, Lapu-Lapu City Councilor Annabeth Cuizon has commended the mayor for the number of accomplished projects he had done for all the Oponganons.

"It was a very good report. Daghan kaayog gihimo si mayor, it took him awhile gud to give his report kay daghan kay siyag nahimo," Cuizon said. –/GAN (FREEMAN)