DPWH-7 proposes 11 road networks for Cebu

CEBU, Philippines- Eleven high standard highway networks have been proposed for Cebu by the Department of Public Works and Highways-7.

The proposed highway network was part of the Road Network Development Plan presentation of DPWH Undersecretary Romeo Momo during the 11th International Conference of Eastern Society for Transportation Studies.

DPWH-7 assistant director Jovy Cordon made the presentation on behalf of Momo.

The highway networks include the following: Extension of Cebu Coastal Road up to Liloan, construction of Cebu Hillside Road and its connector road and Cebu South Road and Coastal Road, widening of Cebu North Road and construction of Cebu North Plaridel Road, widening of Cebu South Road from Naga to Carcar and construction of Cebu South Parallel Road, improvement of Mactan Circumferential Road, widening of the Mandaue-Mactan bridge and its approaches and construction of third bridge and its approaches.

Cordon said that of the 210,055 kilometer road networks in the country, only 60,686 or about 28.90-percent is paved.

 “DPWH will pave all the roads by 2016,” she said.

She added that out of the total road networks in the country, 32,526 kilometers are national roads in which only 27,816 kilometers were paved.   The national road is divided into primary roads which has 7,060 kilometers (7,043 km was paved); secondary roads which has 14, 051 km (12,196 km was paved); and tertiary roads which has 11,415 km. (8,577 km was paved).

The local roads have a total of 177,529 kilometers, wherein 32,860 km was paved.

It is also divided into provincial roads which has 30,132 km (20,256 km was paved); municipal roads which has 15,349 km (5,375 km was paved); city roads which has 15,283 km (9,395 km was paved); and barangay roads, 116,765 km (7,943 km was paved).

Cordon added that DPWH strategic policies and programs include good governance reforms and anti-corruption programs, better quality and safer national roads and bridge programs, strategic convergence program, effective flood control program and Public Private Partnership Program.

“The government recognizes PPP as an approach to invest resources for adequate road infrastructure. The government has less resources for adequate road infrastructure,” Cordon said.

It added that DPWH will undertake the reforms needed to create more conducive environment for private business and help generate many more bankable projects.  (FREEMAN)