DPWH ready to implement major infra projects in Cebu

• Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/994046
• Wednesday, June 7, 2017

By Ferdinand G. Patinio (PNA)

MANILA, June 7 -- Several major infrastructure projects will be implemented in Cebu including the multi-billion Metro Cebu Expressway Project, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) said on Wednesday.

According to DPWH Secretary Mark Villar, the construction of new roads in the province known as the "Queen City of the South" is part of President Rodrigo Duterte’s mandate to decongest major thoroughfares and implement an integrated seamless transport system.

The PHP50-billion Metro Cebu Expressway Project aims to reduce travel from Naga City to Danao City from three hours to less than one and a half hour.

“Among the big ticket projects to be implemented include the highly anticipated 74 kilometers Metro Cebu Expressway Project, which will reduce travel from Naga City to Danao City from three hours to one hour and 25 minutes,” Villar said in a statement.

“We have already completed the feasibility study of the PHP50-billion Metro Cebu Expressway Project. It will be implemented in three segments,” he added.

The undertaking is part of the government‘s infrastructure program, #BuildBuildBuild, which aims to increase the productive capacity of the economy and create jobs through the acceleration of massive infrastructure.

Likewise, Villar revealed the planned construction of four lanes Guadalupe-Lahug By-Pass Road with a total length of 1.61 kilometers.

The multi-million project is expected to decongest traffic congestion in Cebu City.

“The project with an estimated cost of PHP500 Million will shorten travel time Barangay Guadalupe to Barangay Lahug by 50 percent from one hour to only 30 minutes,” the DPWH chief said.

He added that the feasibility study is on-going for the construction of Mandaue City-Consolacion-Liloan Bypass Road which is expected to bring down travel time from Cebu City to the Municipality of Liloan by 50 percent.

According to the International Monetary Fund, a sustained increase in public infrastructure spending to 5 percent of GDP (gross domestic product) would add a total of 5 to 6 percent to the country's GDP after 15 years.