Gov. Garcia stops Metro Cebu Expressway project

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia has ordered the Department of Public Works and Highways-7 to temporarily stop the construction works of the Metro Cebu Expressway (MCE) project following some environmental and safety concerns.

During a meeting at the Capitol the other day, Garcia learned from the Department of Environment and National Resources-Environmental Management Bureau (DENR- EMB)’s chief of Environmental Impact Assessment Section Engr. Mary Ann Bueno that a portion of the project that collapsed in October last year has not been issued the necessary Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC).

City of Naga Mayor Val Chiong was also present during the meeting, as well as officials from the Mines and Geosciences Bureau and Japan International Cooperation Agency.

According to the provincial government’s news network, Sugbo News, there has also been growing apprehensions regarding the lack of clarity surrounding the project’s scope and potential repercussions.

Concerns range from the displacement of communities to the potential ecological disturbances along the proposed route.

To properly address the mounting concerns surrounding the MCE project, Garcia ordered the DPWH-7 to temporarily stop its construction until a comprehensive assessment on the project’s environmental and safety compliance can be conducted.

Prior to this order, Garcia also ordered the stoppage on the project’s ongoing works after a portion of its phase 3A in Barangay Inayagan and Barangay Cantao-an, City of Naga experienced landslides in October last year.

Garcia had also asserted that the affected areas may no longer be feasible for the project as she likened them to Ayala Heights in Busay, Cebu City, which soil quality is also prone to landslides.

Along with this, Garcia also asked DPWH-7 director Ernesto Gregorio Jr. to disclose the barangays that will be affected should the project continue, emphasizing the importance of transparency in informing the communities, as well as the LGUs on its potential impact on safety and the environment.

Garcia will call for another meeting with the stakeholders, which include the mayors and chiefs of concerned barangays to assess how the project will pan out moving forward.

JICA officials are also expected to present their recommendations for the project as they have already conducted studies for it.

Based on the DPWH’s project description, the MEC is approximately 56.9 km long high standard arterial toll road planned to meet Metro Cebu’s existing and future traffic demand.

The project is aimed at serving as another north-south backbone highway providing a seamless traffic flow from Naga City up to Danao City traversing along the slopes of the mountain range of Cebu Province while also significantly addressing the traffic congestion within Metro Cebu especially its urban core and Central Business Districts.

Based on the proposed Metro Cebu Expressway (MCE) project, it is divided into three segments.

The first segment covers 25.20 kilometers in length from Minglanilla to Cebu City and ends at the Mandaue and Consolacion boundary.

For segment 2, it will be from the Mandaue-Consolacion boundary to Danao City, which is 23.36 kilometers in length.

Segment 3, on the other hand, has two parts with 3A at Naga to Minglanilla area which is currently undertaken by DPWH-VII. This covers 4.20 kilometers while 3B are the remaining portions of the MCE in an undisclosed area. —/ATO (FREEMAN)