Roque vows to continue Cebu's trans-axial highway project

CEBU, Philippines —  Senatorial aspirant and former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque promised to push for the continuation and completion of the trans-axial highway project in Cebu if elected.

Cebu Trans-axial Development Project (CTDP), also known as the Cebu Backbone Highway, aims to make a 300-kilometer roadway on the central axis of Cebu through its mountain areas, traversing from Daanbantayan in the north to Santander in the south.

It will serve as a ‘backbone’ to the island’s road networks and seen as a complement to the coastal roads. It is also seen as one possible solution to Cebu’s traffic woes.

Roque, who was in Cebu yesterday to meet his friends and some supporters, said the project would make Cebu a more progressive province.

He said it would spur growth and spread development to the rural areas.

The development road was first envisioned by former Governor Emilio “Lito” Osmeña during his term in 1988 to 1992, and was later championed by the late Vice Governor Sanchez in 2007.

The cost was estimated at P46.31 billion in 2007 and increased to P93.72 billion in 2014.

In 2018, former governor Hilario Davide III said over P120 billion is the projected amount needed for the project while P5 billion is the maximum amount which the provincial government can loan from banks.

Meanwhile, Roque was all praises for Governor Gwendolyn Garcia,who is gunning for reelection.

Roque said Garcia, who he called his BFF (short for best friend forever), is Cebu's "best" governor.

Roque and Garcia were among those who fought for former Comelec chief Andres Bautista's ouster. — KQD (FREEMAN)