DPWH-7 to have new director

CEBU, Philippines — The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)-7 will soon have a new director.

DPWH-7 Director Ador Canlas, who has been in the post for more than six years, revealed that DPWH-8 Director Edgar Tabacon will replace him.

But Canlas has yet to know his new assignment as he is still waiting for his transfer order.

"This is just a normal reshuffling. I already received the order yesterday (August 22) about the reshuffling. But hindi ko pa alam kung saan ako e-assign," said Canlas.

Canlas said that Tabacon knows Cebu's terrain and he is optimistic that Tabacon will continue the ongoing projects.

 Canlas added the turnover ceremony is yet to be scheduled.

Among the high impact infrastructure projects that are ongoing include the Metro Cebu Expressway and the UN underpass in Mandaue City.

 Canlas said that the 73.75 kilometers Metro Cebu Expressway's civil works is also ongoing in the southern Cebu's segment.

 The Metro Cebu Expressway is a high standard arterial road starting from Naga City and ends in Danao City with a 2-kilometer tunnel.

This project, with an estimated cost of P54.2 billion, will reduce travel time between Danao City and Naga City to 45 minutes up to one hour.

This project is part of President Duterte‘s infrastructure program, #BuildBuildBuild, which aims to increase the productive capacity of the economy and create jobs through the acceleration of massive infrastructure.

The Metro Cebu Expressway is the biggest infrastructure project in Cebu since the construction of the Marcelo Fernando Bridge or known as the Second Bridge. It is expected to be finished by 2022.

 Canlas added that among the projects with ongoing feasibility studies are the bypass roads for Talisay-Minglanilla-Naga which will use the old railways and the Mandaue-Consolacion-Liloan bypass roads leading to the $172.64 million New Cebu International Container Port Project in barangay Tayud, Consolacion town. — MBG (FREEMAN)