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Thursday, August 24, 2006
For railways, ports, other projects for Cebu 2006-2010
By Rose O. Verzosa
Sun.Star Staff Reporter
President Arroyo has approved around P60.8 billion worth of infrastructure investments for Cebu for 2006 to 2010, mostly for railways and ports.
Marlene CA Rodriguez, director of the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) 7, said this amount is 32 percent of the P190-billion total infrastructure budget for Central Philippines.
Rodriguez made these revelations during yester-day’s Sun.Star Economic Forum at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel in Lahug.
Based on Arroyo’s super-region development strategy, Central Philippines covers the provinces of Palawan, Romblon and Camiguin, Dapitan City, Siargao island, the regions of Bicol, Western Visayas, Eastern Visayas and Central Visayas.
Railways
Citing the Central Philippines Investment Program, which was approved by Arroyo last July 21, a P33-billion budget is allocated for Cebu’s railways, while P18.88 billion is for its ports.
The rest of the budget is distributed for roads and bridges (P6.3 billion), airports (P749 million) and tourism infrastructure ((P1.9 billion).
“I would just like to mention that the investment for railway in Cebu is for the proposed Metro Cebu Mass Transportation System (MCMTS), which was already presented to the Investment Coordination Committee but was returned to the proponent for revision because of its huge investment requirement,” Rodriguez said.
She said the MCMTS involves the construction of a railway system from Talisay City to Consola-cion for the first phase and from Talisay City to Carcar, and Consolacion to Danao City for the second phase.
Ports
Some of the major ongoing projects included in the P61-billion infrastructure budget for Cebu are the construction of the sub-way section of the Cebu South Coastal Road, the completion of the Cebu South Road improvement project, which includes the P785-million improvement and widening of the Talisay Junction-Toledo-Carcar section, and the improvement of the Naga-Toledo road, which covers 34.8 kilometers of existing roads and six bridges.
The construction and improvement of roll-on-roll-off (Roro) ports in Cebu, which fall along the priority routes to complete the nautical highway, and the improvement of roads connecting these Roro ports are also some of the proposed projects covered under the budget for Cebu.
Another project being proposed and included in the budget is the Cebu North Coastal Road project, which involves the construction of approximately 11 kilometers of roads traversing the coastal areas of Mandaue City, and the towns of Consolacion and Liloan.
Rodriguez yesterday emphasized Cebu’s vital role in the promotion of Central Philippines Tourism Center, linking the islands through efficient transportation and communication facilities.
“Central Philippines, of which Cebu is part, is envisioned to be the major tourist center of the country, while the Cyber Corridor, of which Cebu is also a part, will boost telecommunications technology and education,” she said.
For Bisaya stories from Cebu. Click here. (August 24, 2006 issue)
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