CEBU, Philippines - The public-private partnership scheme will continue to support the provincial government's planned infrastructure projects believed to drive Cebu's economy further.
For one, a third bridge that will link mainland Cebu and Mactan Island, specifically Barangay Pilipog in Cordova town is now being studied.
The P15-billion Mactan-Cebu link project is expected to start next year and is seen to be operational in 2018.
In an interview, Capitol Information Officer Ethel Natera told The FREEMAN that a feasibility project study is now being conducted by a private company.
The firm is Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. which is the one operating some expressways in the capital such as Manila-Cavite Toll Expressway, North Luzon Expressway and Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway.
After the completion of the study, Natera said it will be presented to the provincial government for approval. If approved, the province and other stakeholders will then pursue the measures of the PPP program which involves a thorough bidding process.
The said project will also have a tripartite agreement among the winning bidder, the provincial government and the municipal government of Cordova.
The information officer expressed confidence the proposed bridge will largely help the economy of Cordova as the transport of goods and mobility of its residents will become more easy and convenient.
With the current heavy traffic problems experienced in Mactan, she said there really is a need to build another one -- now to connect Cordova.
The project is expected to make transportation more efficient and to have an impact on production outputs, economical travel time and the economy in general.
Trans Axial highway revisited
Moreover, the dream of the late Vice Governor Greg Sanchez for the Trans Axial Highway in the province will soon be realized as Governor Hilario Davide III has said the proposal for the expressway development is now being revisited.
The 300-kilometer highway project will traverse from Barangay Poblacion of Santander in the south to Barangay Maya of Daanbantayan in the north. The project will come with the creation of reclamation areas, economic zones and seaports as well.
“It will make travel time faster kay everything is faster sa pag-transfer sa goods and the people,” Natera noted, adding that this will cut travel time from Daanbantayan to Santader.
She also added the implementation of the project may probably take five years as it will have to go through a feasibility study, bidding process and the construction time. The government again wants a PPP to fund the project.
The Capitol official also revealed the provincial government received a P5 million grant from the Canadian government for the rehabilitation of roads in Northern Cebu which was badly affected by super typhoon Yolanda last year to boost again the tourism industry in the place.
The Capitol has also asked the Department of Transportation and Communications through the Mactan-Cebu International Airport officials to have feasibility studies on the plan to build Sta. Fe (in Bantayan Island) and San Francisco (in Camotes Island) airports.
It also assured to support the private sector in their initiatives to develop tourism, one of the key industries and drivers of Cebu’s economic development.
In addition, the Provincial Board has also established the province’s 2014 Investments and Incentives Code that aims to create a good investment climate and bring development and jobs to the countryside.
It also seeks to encourage local and foreign investors to build businesses in the province and develop the agricultural, industrial and service industries in the countryside. (FREEMAN)