Three road projects lined for Cebu

Three major road-widening projects worth P600 million were lined up by the Department of Public Ways and Highways (DPWH) for Cebu next year.

Rebecca Garsuta, DPWH director for project management, told participants of yesterday’s economic briefing that they are looking for investors to help finance other projects in Cebu and the rest of the country.

During the briefing, Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Consul Samuel Chioson once again reiterated their request for more road-widening projects in Cebu.

“For 2012, we will have the North Cebu Jagnaya wharf road that cost P220 million, widening of N. Bacalso Avenue that cost P123 million and the widening of the Mactan Circumferencial Road with a budget of P300 million,” Garsuta said.

From 2014 to 2016, Garsuta said they are targeting to implement the Cebu City-San Remegio road and other projects below P100 million.

“Another one is the Cebu Southwest Coastal road with Korea Economic Development Cooperation Fund and the Cebu North Coastal road to be done under the public-private partnership program,” she said.

The DPWH official said their office is focusing on undertaking projects that can address immediate needs at less cost to the public.

“For the first semester of the year, we have already saved P3.5 billion in funds and has cancelled 19 questionable projects. We expect to end with P10 million total savings this year,” said Garsuta.

The Board of Investments in Central Visayas (BOI-7) said the region only has P6.3 billion in investments out of P450 billion investments for the first semester of this year.

BOI governor Geronimo Sta. Ana said the region needs to improve its climate to draw more investors into the area.

Aside from improving infrastructure, Sta. Ana said the region needs a stable labor force and incentives to draw more investments.

Sta. Ana said he hopes that Rep. Ramon “Red” Durano IV refiles House Bill 1319 that would convert Cebu into a special economic zone. Reporter Aileen Garcia-Yap