Saturday, May 24, 2008 Parties agree on ‘catch up’ plan
SECRETARY Cerge M. Remonde yesterday inspected the P2.308 billion Cebu North Coastal Road Project (CNCRP) to iron out problems that have caused delays, including the road right of way (RROW) purchase.
Remonde, director general of the Presidential Management Staff, said that the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and private contractor UKC Builders have already agreed on a “catch up” plan to finish the road on schedule.
He said he decided to visit the construction site after receiving media reports and complaints that the project is not “moving.”
Solution
The Cebuano Cabinet member told reporters that he went to the project site not to find fault among the parties involved but to find solutions to the problems that are causing the delay.
During yesterday’s briefing, Remonde learned that the unfinished RROW acquisition, the issuance of permit to cut trees, delays in the delivery of major equipment and frequent rains have made work in the area impossible.
He directed DPWH to coordinate with Rep. Nerissa Soon-Ruiz (Cebu, 6th district) and officials of the concerned local government units to address the RROW purchase and other concerns.
Ruiz and Liloan Mayor Vincent Duke Frasco also joined the site visit.
Assurance
Remonde assured that the National Government will meet the target date for completion, which is on April 2010.
He admitted that because of the delays, the government failed to beat the March 9, 2008 deadline for the initial stage of the first package of the project. The deadline was reset to July 16, 2008.
As part of the “catch up” plan, DPWH and the contractor will prepare for the civil engineering works, which will start this September.
The CNCRP is one of the 149 priority infrastructure projects of the Arroyo administration.
It is a 9.45-kilometer, four-lane highway that will connect Mandaue City to the towns of Consolacion and Liloan. It will run parallel to the existing North Road.
Project
The project consists of two packages. Package 1, amounting to P1.45 billion, is the 1.39-kilometer stretch, which will include the Cansaga bay bridge that will connect Mandaue to Consolacion.
The second package is 8.06-kilometer long which will include the Suba bridge, Tayud underpass and a pedestrian overpass. It will cost some P581.8 million.
The RROW acquisition will cost another P276.3 million.
Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes welcomed the project, saying that it will decongest the main North Road. (OCP)
