Saturday, October 14, 2006 Danao to rise, says Glo By Minerva B. Gerodias Sun.Star Staff Reporter
MORE development for northern Cebu is expected when the North Coastal Road Project is implemented.
President Arroyo has tasked Tourism Secretary Joseph “Ace” Durano to make sure that the project will push through.
She made the announcement yesterday in her speech during the inauguration of Danao City’s bus terminal-cum-market.
Danao may also be the “center of light industries in the northern part of Cebu,” the President said, after Mayor Ramon “Nito” Durano announced that four Japanese firms expressed plans to expand their operation in the city’s economic zone.
The firms are suppliers of materials for Cebu Mitsumi Corp.
Rep. Ramon “Red” Durano VI (Cebu, 5th district) said the business expansion means more employment opportunities for Danao and the rest of the district.
As to the North Coastal Road project, the President said this is included in the medium-term public investment program of the supra-region. She wants this to complement the Cebu South Coastal Road.
“To make sure that the implementation of the highway will be started right away, the one in charge to follow up is no other than the son of Danao City. So Ace, it will be your fault if the coastal road will not be finished,” Arroyo told the tourism secretary.
The proposed coastal highway, Ace said, is worth more than P3 billion and Arroyo wants it to be finished by 2010.
The feasibility study of the project was done by the Japan Bank for International Cooperation two years ago.
The first component of the project is the P2.3-billion viaduct that will start from the North Reclamation Area in Cebu City to Consolacion town.
The second part is the eight-kilometer road from Consolacion to Liloan Church that is worth P757 million.
The project is expected to cut the travel time from the north to Cebu City by 30 minutes.
Meanwhile, Danao City’s terminal-cum-public market was funded by a loan from the Land Bank of the Philippines worth P53 million and P21 million from local funds.
Arroyo announced that the National Government has $200 million available for loans for local government units (LGUs) to fund their priority projects.
She also pointed out that the Macapagal-Durano Fish Port in Danao is expected to bring economic benefits to the city, especially to fishermen.
Their products will be distributed to the different parts of Visayas through the nautical highway.
The second phase of the fish port is still being completed and will be opened soon.
She said the fish port is a testimony to three generations of friendship between the Durano and the Macapagal families.
But she pointed out that for development to take place, stable power supply is needed, aside from a supportive LGU.
With this, she assured that she will “not leave any stone unturned” in looking into the alleged price manipulation in the power sector.
Trade Secretary Peter Favila announced that the President has created a four-agency team that will look into the matter.
Arroyo also said that she is grateful for the passage of the biofuel bill in the Senate last Wednesday.
She encouraged both houses of Congress to continue passing legislation that will lessen the country’s dependence on imported fuel.
