Cebu’s Expressway project to proceed

CEBU CITY – The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has given the Cebu provincial government full authority to implement the Metro Cebu Expressway (MCE) project through a public-private partnership scheme. This was also conin its bid to lead the comwelcoming proposals from firmed by Governor pletion of the MCE project the private sector interestGwendolyn Garcia who through available means, ed in the Metro Cebu Exannounced that the agensuch as a Capitol-led pubpressway construction. cy has delisted the MCE lic-private partnership.” Lawyer Arjay Peralta, of project from its Priority “This is to respectfulthe DPWH Public-private Infrastructure Flagship ly inform (you) that the Partnership Service Office Programs (IFPS)/ Public Department (DPWH) is based in Manila, said the Investment Program and delisting the MCE project agency would still assist the is formally turning it over from the list of Priority Inprovince. He added there is to the provincial governfrastructure Flagship Prono need for the provincial ment. grams (IFPS) / Public Ingovernment to concur with

National Economic vestment Program (PIP),” the agency before it begins and Development AuthorDPWH Secretary Manuel the project. ity (NEDA) chief Arsenio Bonoan said in his letter to “The participation Balisacan, and Public-priGarcia. of the local government vate Partnership Center Garcia said this new deis very important in the (PPPC) Executive Director velopment would pave the sense that on their own, Maria Cynthia Hernandez way for the Provincial Ecothey can ask for investors said the DPWH is “fully nomic Enterprise Council, or they can look for any supporting Cebu province which she chairs, to start proponents who want to implement

Peralta said.

The Metro Cebu Expressway is a P94 billion this project,” infrastructure project covering 56.9 km. stretching from Naga City to Danao City, an alternative route to escape heavy traffic along main roads in the metropolis. ( John Rey Saavedra)