Private sector laments bridge repair works to cause losses

CEBU, Philippines - With the ongoing repair works on the old Mactan-Mandaue bridge, the affected private sector lamented on the productivity loss and negative impression that might affect the business and tourism industries both in Mandaue and Lapu-Lapu cities.

Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Philip Tan said in an interview that the repair and asphalt overlay of the bridge has a ripple effect to the businesses and industries, causing complications and unplanned damages for companies and establishments.

“Yes, they are solving a problem but are recreating another problem. They don’t care what will happen to the business sector.  It’s actually a collaborative damage that should be consulted with the other affected parties,” he said.

He cited that the bridge has been critical even before and complications would not arise at present if it has been well-maintained through the years.

Unlike in other countries such as in Japan, road and other infrastructure construction are conducted at night and accomplished before daytime to avoid any disruptions the day after.

“But it is opposite here in the Philippines. Biyaan pa man gane nga wala pa nahuman. They probably think it would incur them higher costs if they do it at night. We’re used to it already,” he said.

Aside from the riding public, he said that employees especially from Mactan economic zones also suffer as they incur salary deductions though they may not receive sanctions from their employees for arriving late at work.

He added that the tourism industry could also be affected as domestic and foreign tourists may have bad experience with the bumper-to-bumper traffic and have negative impression with how the Philippine government handles road construction. 

Apart from passengers who might get late for their flights, Tan further noted that businesses could acquire 20-percent productivity loss particularly for the export sector that delivers goods abroad through air and water transportation.

He cited that most of the exported products are electronic goods which are highly valuable.

Along with the booming business climate in Mandaue and Lapu-Lapu cities, the Mactan Island which houses the international airport is seen as one of the significant contributors to the local economy.

Tan said that the inefficiency and poor planning of the government on the implementation of road projects is not a valid reason for the delay of shipments and deliveries of products to and from industries in and outside of Cebu.

“Using the ongoing bridge repair is not an excuse to our domestic and international clients. In business, it has to be delivered on time as negotiated with the customer unless when natural calamities strike. This is a human factor that should have been done before,” he told The  Freeman.

He, however, expressed relief as the Metro Cebu Bridge Management Board (MCBMB) decided in a resolution that the contractor of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) may resume in working from 10 PM to 6 AM.

Originally, PLD Construction was given 90 days to complete the repairs for each bridge which started last Monday.

But during the bridge board meeting last Tuesday night, they aimed to finish it in two weeks.

“It’s a good thing that they have revised the working plan. We’ll give them the benefit of the doubt. If it was initially reported that it is expected to last for 90 days and now that they must finish it in two weeks, then we are very happy. We will be thankful if it will really happen,” he said.

Prior to the meeting, the government agency suspended the repair works around 4 PM of February 26 due to the incessant complaints from students, employees and business owners on the traffic congestion.

He then advised the government to involve the valued stakeholders and consult the private sector for further projects that might affect the businesses.

“They have to consult, not just impose. What happens to the former is a spill-over to the latter,” Tan concluded.  (FREEMAN)