Cebu: 4th bridge in the north, harbor in the south
Last week, after a day-long briefing conducted by the officials of the National Economic Development Authority, Department of Finance, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas and the Department of Budget and Management for the business sector, Department of Public Works and Highways Undersecretary Emil Sadain, (who heads the DPWH Unified Project Management Office), informed people from the media, in a news conference, that the “feasibility study on the fourth bridge that would connect mainland Cebu to Mactan Island would start early next year.”
He further said that “It would be funded by a grant from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) but the actual project would be funded by a P3-billion loan, also from JICA.”
Moreover, in such news conference, the emphasis was more on solving Cebu’s traffic mess. That this bridge can, somehow, alleviate the trouble we’ve been through all these years traffic-wise.
Indeed, taking it based on the current traffic situation, this is a happy development. In the meantime, however, we have current undertakings that can worsen our existing traffic woes in the future. For one, the construction of the P9.19 billion New Cebu International Container Port will probably start this year. Though touted to “decongest traffic at the existing base port” in Cebu City, it will also doubly congest the roads in Tayud, Consolacion and Mandaue as well as the coastal roads of Cebu City once completed and used.
Why? The old bridges will remain toll-free. Therefore, whether we like it or not, some stingy motorists from Cebu City down to Santander who may wish to go to the Island of Mactan will still opt to go through the old bridges and Mandaue, a major choke point. Worse, manufacturers in the southern part of Cebu will still go through the cities of Cebu and Mandaue before reaching the Consolacion port in moving their cargoes.
Curiously too, in mainland Cebu, as reported, the foot of the fourth bridge shall be planted near Cansaga Bridge in the side of Mandaue. Considering that there is a very busy intersection there going into the heart of Pakna-an (where huge factories with huge trucks are situated), another bottleneck should be expected.
Why? Haulers at the international port in Tayud, Consolacion carrying international cargoes coming from or going to the south, as well as, from and going to the three Mactan Economic Zones and that of Mandaue will all fight for road spaces in this intersection. Obviously, therefore, movements of cargoes will be stalled. Not only that, employees working in Mactan as well as travelers from northern Cebu (using Cansaga Bridge) who will be catching up for their flights will also be trapped.
So that, what is necessary right now is to have another port in the southern part of Cebu. Depending on the technical feasibility, it could be situated either in Minglanilla or Naga. With this port, Cebu, as a whole, will benefit a lot.
First and foremost, having both a North Harbor (the International Port in Tayud, Consolacion) and a South Harbor (probably, Minglanilla or Naga), businessmen in the cities of Cebu and Mandaue may just relocate their factories and warehouses to far north and south of Cebu. Logically so as the value of the lots in these cities where these structures are situated are now skyrocketing and it is so unwise to simply use them as such. Needless to say, the transfer shall also be a big boost in the countryside.
Secondly, we all know that there is an economic zone in Naga. Yes, there is, but, unfortunately, so underutilized. It is almost empty. Then, there were some locators. However, as years passed, locators transferred their factories to other countries where they are more cost-efficient and where ports are not situated deep inside the metropolis.
Thirdly, with the completion of the third bridge, a south harbor shall certainly complement it. Obviously, trailers can use the bridge to reach Mactan Island. In the process, probably, Cordova can even develop its own economic zone. These and more, without congesting the cities of Cebu (except a portion of the South Road Properties) and Mandaue.
Certainly, therefore, a south harbor is necessary. That’s a no-brainer.
Cebu tourism stakeholders applauded the decision of tourism secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat to retain the six-year-old tourism slogan “It’s More Fun in the Philippines.”
Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) tourism committee chairman Edwin Ortiz said the decision is commendable as the Philippines need to have a sustainable and consistent branding to maximize its tourism potential.
Over the years, the Philippines did not have a strong tourism brand recall, until recently.
During her recent visit to Cebu, Puyat reiterated her commitment to retain the “It’s More Fun in the Philippines” branding, saying she believes in sustainability and continuity of good programs initiated by her predecessors regardless of political affiliations.
Originally coined by former DOT secretary and marketing man Ramon Jimenez in 2012 during the leadership of former President Benigno Aquino III, the branding has proven its good effects, Puyat said.
“Continuity is the key” said Puyat referring on the tagline’s retention which was nearly trashed in the earlier months of Duterte administration.
According to Ortiz sustainable branding of the Philippines has been the battlecry of the private tourism stakeholders. Today, the Philippines should stick on its positioning, as it is in the brink of losing its edge due intense competition among its Asian neighbors.
Likewise, hotelier Efren Belarmino said Cebu for one is able to leverage on the new branding tagline, with its colorful environment and warm and fun loving people, which perfectly makes the tagline alive and translating it to actual tourists’ experience.
During the brief stint of former DOT secretary Wanda Teo, she insisted on replacing the slogan to a fresher concept, claiming that “It’s More Fun in the Philippines” campaign did not bring in more tourists to the country since its implementation in 2012.
Teo pushed for a budget of P650 million to introduce a new slogan, until she was asked to resign due to alleged corruption issues.
DOT launched “It’s More Fun in the Philippines” campaign in 2012, replacing the “WOW Philippines” campaign started by then tourism secretary Richard Gordon in 2002.
The “It’s More Fun in the Philippines” slogan became a worldwide trend back when it was first launched, with netizens sharing both their praises and criticisms in virtual space.