For residents affected by 4th bridge project: Nearby relocation assured

CEBU, Philippines — Mandaue City Mayor Thadeo Jovito “Jonkie” Ouano on Wednesday assured residents affected by the proposed P76.412-billion fourth Cebu-Mactan bridge project that they would be relocated within the same area and not far from their current homes.

Ouano said the 204 affected residents in Barangay Paknaan have expressed their preference to remain within Mandaue City, close to their communities and sources of livelihood.

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has coordinated with the city government to clear portions of the area where a bridge pillar will be installed.

The fourth bridge project includes a coastal road connecting Barangay Paknaan in Mandaue City to Barangay Ibo in Lapu-Lapu City.

“Dili man sila ganahan mobalhin og lain nga area, adto lang sila sa area but moisbog lang sila,” Ouano said, noting that residents are open to transferring within the same vicinity.

The mayor acknowledged that identifying a suitable relocation site remains a major challenge as the project advances.

“Number one priority gyud nako kining mga informal settlers gyud kay wala gyud tay kabutangan ani nila,” he said.

Ouano added that existing socialized housing facilities, including Pasilong sa Paradise, Paglaum, and Bayanihan Village in Barangay Guizo, are already at full capacity.

“Mao gyud na ang challenging gyud, to be honest. Challenging nga mag sige og labad among ulo kung asa nato sila ibalhin nga decente sad ba,” he said.

While there are available relocation options outside Mandaue City, Ouano said residents are reluctant to move beyond city limits.

“Di man sad gyud sila musugot outside of Mandaue, gusto man sila sa city. So, samot ka challenging,” he added.

Ouano said the city understands the residents’ hesitation to relocate, as they are already familiar with the area and find it convenient. For the meantime, the city government will allow affected households to move their houses within the vicinity.

“Wala man sad tay kabalhinan nila lain. Kung magsugod na ang construction didto, i-allow lang sa nato kay mao man sad to ilang request,” the mayor said.

Construction of the bridge is expected to begin in the third quarter of 2026, according to Ouano.

The affected site is currently occupied, having served as a relocation area for fire victims from various barangays in the city. The lot is government-owned.

The affected residents appealed for proper relocation and livelihood support from the government. Many of them, particularly workers in Paknaan’s broom-making industry, fear losing not only their homes but also their primary source of income.

According to residents, they first learned about the possible relocation last year and were promised that a relocation site would be provided. Among those affected is 26-year-old broom maker Apple Gitgano, a mother of three whose child currently studies at Paknaan Elementary School.

Apple said she has been working in the broom-making industry since she was eight years old, following in the footsteps of her parents.

“Molaba kog lanot, motrabaho kog silhig, mosuroy sad ko,” Apple shared, recalling her years of experience in broom-making.

“Sukad pa pagkabata nako, mao nani ang panginabuhian namo sa among pamilya hangtod nagkapamilya sad ko,” she added.

Apple appealed for relocation within or near Barangay Paknaan so they could continue their livelihood and keep their children in school.

“Hangyo lang gyud mi nga diri lang mi sa duol i-relocate. Ilang giingon nga basin sa gawas sa Mandaue pero sa akong bahin, di gyud ko mosugot kay layo na kaayo. Naanad man gud mi diri sa Paknaan, usa pa, naa diri ga-eskwela akong anak,” she said.

Apple also appealed for humane treatment and proper assistance from the government.

“Manghinaot lang sad tawn mi nga itarong lang mi nilag pahimutang. Mga kabus ra intawn mi, dili mi kakaon kung dili mi maningkamot,” she said.

She reiterated that residents are not against relocation itself, as long as they are not transferred far from their source of livelihood.

“Okay ra gyud kaayo og isibog mi nila pero dili lang unta mi ibalhin sa layo kay naa diri among panginabuhian,” Apple added.

Another affected resident, 32-year-old Glenda Limbatao, also expressed concern over the project.

Their family was among those displaced by a fire incident near the Cebu International Convention Center (CICC) in Mandaue City and relocated to Zone Ahos only two years ago.

Glenda said the previous administration had promised them a 10-year stay in the area, making the recent development heartbreaking for their family. Her husband works as a driver, which serves as the family’s sole source of income.

Their home is among the 13 houses in one block located at Zone Ahos that will be directly affected by the bridge construction.

“Manghinaot lang unta mi nga kung madayon man gali ang bridge, mabutang mi og tarong nga relocation nga dili na gyud mi mapahawa. Ug usa pa sad, kanang dili layo nga relocation, mao gyud na among hangyo,” she said.

Glenda also admitted that she personally disagrees with the bridge construction because of the uncertainty it brings to their family.

“Sa akoa nga part, dili gyud ko uyon sa pagtukod sa bridge. Kung asa mi gi-relocate, dinhi nalang gyud unta mi. Maayo unta og dili nalang madayon ang pagtukod sa bridge,” she said.

Residents also said they have yet to receive clear information regarding compensation and relocation assistance.

“Wala sad mi kahibalo if bayaran ba mi or unsa kay wala man mi sultihi diri. Sa akong nadunggan ra, hatagan daw mi og financial assistance pero wala mi kahibalo og pila,” Glenda said.

The bridge project will be funded partly by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

DPWH officials Engineer Renz Daniel del Rosario and project engineer Francis Gabriel Atienza said the proposed infrastructure aims to provide an alternative route for motorists and help ease traffic congestion. Construction is targeted to start within the year.

The proposed 3.3-kilometer, four-lane bridge will be financed partly through a 120-billion-yen loan—equivalent to about P50 billion—under Japan’s official development assistance program.

Based on the proposed alignment, the bridge and coastal road will run alongside the E.C. Ouano Wharf, connect to Zuelig Road, and link the Lapu-Lapu flyover to Mandaue City. It will establish a new connection between Barangay Ibo and an area near the Cansaga Bay Bridge in Barangay Paknaan. — Daniela Casas, CNU Intern/FPL (FREEMAN)