President Aquino Inspects Major Infrastructure Projects in Cebu City

President Benigno S. Aquino III led the inspection of major infrastructure projects here on Monday.

The President first inspected the 28.18-kilometer (km) Mactan Circumferential Road, which aims to provide easy access from the Mactan International Airport to the various tourist destinations and famous resorts and hotels in the island of Mactan.

The project, expected to be completed next year, will reduce travel time between Cebu City to Mactan from one-and-a-half hours to one hour and will benefit more than 21,000 travelers per day.

President Aquino also inspected the rehabilitation of the Serging Osmeña Boulevard Port Corridor in Cebu City, which was completed last June 25. The project is a major thoroughfare that benefits daily commuters travelling to and from the City of Cebu.

In his speech, President Aquino also mentioned the ongoing rehabilitation of the 16.33-km Medellin-Daanbantayan Road, which aims to provide easy access to local vacationers and foreign tourists and will reduce the three-hour travel time from the northernmost town of Daanbantayan to Cebu City by half an hour.

“Kabilang po ang proyektong ito sa tinatawag nating DOT-DPWH Tourism Convergence Road Project, na layuning mapaginhawa ang biyahe ng mga turista sa inyong magagandang destinasyon,” Aquino said.

President Aquino noted the increase in the budget of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) for the province of Cebu.

From P2 billion in 2010, the budget for Cebu increased to P7 billion this year, and another P2 billion will be added to the allocated budget for the province, he said.

Looking forward to the outcome of the infrastructure projects here, the President said he is planning to visit some famous tourist destinations in the province, particularly Oslob, which has become famous for whale shark or butanding watching.

The Chief Executive then lauded DPWH Secretary Rogelio Singson for his efficiency, giving him the moniker “Man of Steel and Concrete.”

“Good job, pero huwag ka sanang maging kampante. Marami pa tayong tatapusing proyekto sa kalakhang bansa sa huling bahagi ng ating termino. Kailangan pa rin natin ang siyento-porsiyentong lakas at dedikasyon para magtuloy-tuloy ang arangkada natin sa Daang Matuwid,” he said.

In his project briefing, Secretary Singson said that of the P43 billion total budget of the DPWH from 2010 to 2015, P23 billion went to Cebu province.

“Let me assure everyone that your DPWH recognizes the importance of roads and bridges and other infrastructure to sustain economic growth, generate employment, as well as to reduce poverty,” Singson said. PND (jb)