Gov’t Pushes for Operations, Maintenance Deal for Metro Cebu Expressway

The government is aiming to open the extension and operations and maintenance for the highly anticipated Metro Cebu Expressway project, according to a Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) official.

Public Works and Highways Undersecretary for Planning and Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Services Maria Catalina Cabral said that construction of portions of the Metro Cebu Expressway are now underway, utilizing local funding.

She added that the DPWH is also preparing a project study which will then be sent to the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) for review and approval.

Cabral said that once the DPWH secured the approval of NEDA, the Metro Cebu Expressway project will then be open for bidding as DPWH will then seek private sector participation.

She added that the DPWH will be able to submit the study to NEDA by the first quarter of 2023.

The PHP94.07 billion, 73.7-kilometer project will curb the present traffic situation that is becoming an imminent problem in the province of Cebu, as Metro Cebu Expressway aims to cut the travel time from Naga to Danao from three hours down to a mere 50 minutes.

This also translates to a travel time of 30 minutes from Naga to Consolacion, from the normal 1.5 hours, according to DPWH.

The project also aims to “contribute in redirecting future urban land-use, demographic and economic expansion by providing transport mobility across urban districts,” according to DPWH.

The project was recently presented to the Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. for endorsement in October 2022 following the endorsement of the Cebu City Development Council. (GFB)