Rama wants in on third bridge project

CEBU City Mayor Michael Rama said he wants to be involved in ongoing discussions to build a third bridge between Mactan and Cebu mainland.

“I am very happy with the plan because the bridge is something that we want,” he said about reports that a company of business tycoon Manuel Pangilinan offered to conduct a six-month feasibility study of the project at no cost to the Province of Cebu.

The Capitol is set to sign an agreement with Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. for the conduct of the study.

Mayor Ram said bridge construction by a private entity could mean payment of a toll by bridge users.

“Convenience is not for free. It entails cost,” he said, adding that this is all right “as long as the price is reasonable.”

No cost figures, funding source or timeframe have been determined yet.

In the future, Rama said Cebu City could also consider the possibility of building bridges that will connect a portion of the South Coastal Road near the South Road Properties (SRP) to Lapu-Lapu City.

Cebu Gov. Hilario Davide III earlier said a subsidiary of a consortium headed by Pangilinan has offered to conduct the feasibility study.

The feasibility study of Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. (MPTC) will be done at no cost to the province.

An agreement will be signed between the province, Cordova town and MPTC.

The Provincial Board last Monday approved a resolution for this purpose. Chief of Reporters Doris C. Bongcac with a story by Correspondent Peter L. Romanillos