American firm interested in trans-axial dev’t project

An American-based company has expressed interest to undertake the P45-billion Cebu Trans-axial Development Project of the Cebu provincial government.

Quantum International, through its president Al Johnson, recently said that their company is “very keen on the wind power development” and wants to put up wind farms in three strategic areas along the proposed highway.

The 300-kilometer four-lane highway would be undertaken through a build-operate-transfer scheme.  Of the whole stretch, 220 kilometers cover existing roads that need improvement, while 80 kilometers will be newly-built.

This scheme requires the developer to build the project at their expense then operate and manage it to cover the costs and generate income over a period of time.

This multi-billion peso project has four components – wind development, water development, economic zones development, and the agro-environmental development.

Cebu Vice Governor Gregorio Sanchez, the man behind the project, said that Quantum International is the sixth company to have expressed interest in the said endeavor.

Aside from Quantum, other investors include the United Engineers of Malaysia, the Iranian government, Dubai World, a Chinese company and a Singaporean company.

By April 20 the investors will be submitting their respective bidding proposal for the project to the committee.  The notice of award is tentatively scheduled on April 28.

However, Sanchez said that the winning bidder of this proposed multibillion-peso infrastructure project will be chosen based on their ability to develop all components of the highways.

He also said that concern for the protection and conservation of the environment is a “plus factor”.

The highway will connect all municipalities of Cebu, with Santander as the farthest point in the south and Daanbantayan in the north.

If the highway gets realized, it will cut travel time by 40 percent.

The project will tap at least 120 rivers in Cebu as water sources. Windmill farms will be created to provide power.

At least P440.6 million will be used in the acquisition of road rights-of-way and the highway itself will cost the province P13 billion.

Construction is expected to start next year and will hopefully be finished by 2013.  — Mitchelle L. Palaubsanon/MEV