PERMITS still need to be complied with before the civil works of the Lapu-Lapu Expressway (LLEX), the first skyway to be built outside the National Capital Region, start, said a city official.
Lapu-Lapu City Legal Officer James Allan Sayson told SunStar Cebu on Tuesday, Aug. 15, 2023, that they may start securing the necessary permits by the first quarter of 2024 yet.
This is contrary to Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Junard “Ahong” Chan’s plans to have the construction begin right after the groundbreaking on Sept. 8.
“After the groundbreaking, we’ll have some permits that we need to secure, so our target after the groundbreaking, hopefully by January, we can start the civil works already,” Sayson said.
Section 303 of the National Building Code of the Philippines, found in the Department of Public Works and Highways website, stipulates that in processing an application for a building or structure permit, officials shall see to it that the applicant satisfies and conforms with the approved standard requirements on zoning and land use, lines and grades, structural design, sanitary and sewerage, environmental health, electrical and mechanical safety as well as other rules and regulations promulgated in accordance of this Code.
The LLEX is expected to be operational by 2025.
In addition, Sayson said the first phase of construction in Barangay Babag will not affect commuters and motorists, and that there are no rerouting plans until construction will reach General Aviation Road in Barangay Basak.
When asked about the number of houses and establishments that will be affected during the later phase of the construction, Sayson said they are still working on the figures, but he assured citizens that they will go for the least intrusion into private properties.
Mayor Chan mentioned during his press conference Monday that the LLEX will not only go from Barangay Babag straight to the Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA), but that exits are incorporated in the project to cater to residents living in Barangays Pajac and Bankal, as well as to the hotels and resorts in Punta Engaño.
SunStar asked for a copy of the alignment of the skyway, but was told it was confidential.
Sayson said he could not divulge the details because they had not yet spoken to the other stakeholders.
He said they will not release a copy of the alignment so as not to create panic among the public.
The LLEX is a 12-kilometer expressway project, starting in Barangay Babag 2, passing through the Mactan Economic Zone, Mactan Aviation Road, Barangays Pajac, Buaya, Bankal, Ibo, and ending in Pusok.
It will be undertaken through a joint venture with the Lapu-Lapu City Government and the consortium of Premium Megastructure Inc., Ulticon Builders Inc. and MTD Philippines Inc., which was awarded the project in June 2022. (NPG)