EDITORIAL - Cebu trans-axial highway really needs a major push

Good thing the Cebu provincial government has revived the proposal for the construction of a 319-kilometer trans-axial highway that would traverse mountain areas across the province from Santander town in the south to Daanbantayan town in the north.

Cebuanos would have already been benefitting from the project if it was realized decades ago. But it’s very unfortunate that it was not able to take off despite being vigorously pushed by former vice governor Gregorio Sanchez and other stakeholders.

If ever the project is realized, Governor Hilario Davide III wants it to be implemented through a public-private partnership (PPP) given the huge cost it entails. The highway’s construction is estimated to cost at least P120 billion, a big amount that can only be done through PPP.

Under the PPP, a private firm can undertake and manage a government project for a period of time for it to profit. Davide said the trans-axial highway may not interest many investors because it takes time before they get a return on their investment.

Known as the Cebu Backbone Highway, Cebu Trans-axial Development Project (CTDP) is designed to complement the major highway in coastal areas. It is also expected to help ease traffic problems in Metro Cebu.

However, since being conceptualized in the late 1980s during the term of then governor Emilio Osmeña, the trans-axial highway project has never taken a giant step towards its realization. As Sanchez tried to revive it in the 2000s, it did not get the interest of the provincial leadership during that time.

The project, if it was seriously considered, would have already been completed by now. But it is sad majority of our local leaders never considered it as a priority. Now, the lack of another major road network contributes largely to the worsening traffic problem in Metro Cebu.

We don’t know if the project will ever push through. However, for it to have a chance, a vigorous push from all Cebuano leaders is needed in order for the national government to understand its urgency.