THE incoming administration of the Mactan-Cebu Bridge Management Board (MCBMB), which is tasked to maintain the two bridges connecting the cities of Mandaue and Lapu-Lapu, will have close to P18 million in funds available for its use.
Outgoing Gov. Hilario Davide III, who is also the outgoing chairman of MCBMB, said the bridge board had P17,942,646.59 in the bank, as of May 31, 2019.
Davide said the income is from the rent that 12 utilities and advertising firms paid for the use of the two bridges.
These are the Metropolitan Cebu Water District (MCWD), Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company (PLDT), Innove Telecommunications, National Grid Power Corp., Pacific Skycable CATV, Cebu Cable TV Management Corp., Eastern Communications, Source Telecom, JKJ Media Services, City Advertising Ventures Corp., Alcordo International Inc. and AD Consultants.
During the bridge board meeting last Friday, June 14, Davide said he signed the contract of renewal of MCWD, PLDT, Pacific Skycable, JKJ Media Services, Alcordo International Inc. and AD Consultants.
Based on the MCBMB report, the projected monthly contribution of these firms range from P3,536.89 to more than P80,000.
Utilities and cable companies pay rent because their lines and cables occupy spaces on the Mandaue-Mactan Bridge and the Marcelo Fernan Bridge to cross the Mactan Channel. Advertising firms pay for the use of structures for their ad placements, which are seen along the bridges.
Davide said the money is used to pay salaries and wages of those manning the traffic and security monitoring system (TSMS) and the monthly utility fees for power, water and communication.
It will also be used to buy a tow truck (P7.9 million) and to upgrade security cameras and the TSMS, he said. The board plans to buy four high-resolution security cameras that can detect plate numbers of vehicles and to improve the TSMS’ wireless connectivity.
If these purchase-requests cannot be accommodated during his term, the incoming administration of governor-elect Gwen Garcia will decide their fate, Davide said. (from SCG of SuperBalita/VLA)