EDITORIAL - A race against time

The need for another link between mainland Cebu and Mactan Island is no longer a question. Whether it is a bridge or a tunnel, the third network has become a necessity to cope with Cebu's massive development.

Presently, the two bridges connecting Mandaue City and Lapu-Lapu City are already running at full capacity, especially during peak hours. And calls are mounting for the need to build another link.

The next network is proposed to be a bridge from Cebu City to Cordova town. Some local officials agree and the Regional Development Council is also reportedly amenable to the project.

Since the government cannot fund it alone, the problem now is where to look for funds. It's definitely no joke that an infrastructure project as huge as the third bridge entails billions of pesos.       

For Cordova Mayor Adelino Sitoy, the best source is the Japan International Cooperation Agency. At least P18 billion is needed for the bridge's construction and the government could not finance it alone.

International donors are willing to help. But the project has yet to take the first step toward its realization. Some local officials are still even in the stage of arguing about what should be the best link.

Cebu's unprecedented economic development has long been calling for implementation of more infrastructure projects. At least two have been identified that are urgently needed: Cebu's international airport expansion and the third link between the mainland and Mactan Island.

But the problem is that the slow pace of their implementation is now beginning to take a toll on Cebu's economy. Tourists have long complained about the need to upgrade the old Mactan airport while motorists see the need for the construction of a third link from Cebu City to avoid long hours of pestering traffic problem in Mandaue City.

Now the signs are there. It would be a race against time. Our officials should work on the immediate implementation of these projects otherwise Cebu would cease to be the country's top economic attraction.