To cap the first half of 2018, Mega Cebu gathered members of the media to update them on big-ticket projects. The activity was held at the Plenary Hall of the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation, Inc. – Eduardo Aboitiz Development and Studies Center last July 9.

Among the updates given were on the projected completion of the Metro Cebu Urban Transport Master Plan currently being done by the Department of Transportation together with a project team from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). Engr. Lynn Madrona, JICA project team consultant, presented the milestones of the project.

Madrona said project team has prepared the interim report for discussion in the following months. This report contains the basic policy of the master plan and the preliminary evaluation of the five priority projects. The five priority projects are as follows:

• Mandaue – Lapu-Lapu Link Road Bridge (4th Mactan Bridge) with Mandaue Coastal Road
• Metro Cebu Circumferential Road (Metro Cebu Ring Road)
• UMRT Coastal Line (AGT-CML Line proposed by RM Study)
• UMRT Central Line (MRT Central Link proposed by RM Study)
• Area Traffic Control (ATC) System in Metro Cebu

Meanwhile, Engr. Luis Paredes, regional project manager of the Department of Public Works and Highways 7, presented updates on the Metro Cebu Flood Control and Drainage Improvements Project. He presented the projects, which include improvement of rivers and the drainage system in Metro Cebu to minimize flooding.

Lastly, the Metropolitan Cebu Water District (MCWD), represented by Engr. Emmanuel Espina, gave updates on the Septage Management Project. He mentioned that after several reviews and deliberations, only one of the three identified project sites remain viable for the septage treatment plant. Currently, MCWD is coordinating with the City of Cebu and Province of Cebu for the preparation of the main project site — the Amcon site in the North Reclamation Area. Espina, however, explained that while the Amcon site can cater to the present requirements, it will not be enough to address additional needs beyond 2030.

Also present during the event were key leaders of Mega Cebu including Metro Cebu Development and Coordinating Board (MCDCB) co-chairperson and RAFI President & COO Dominica B. Chua and Gordon Alan Joseph, Executive Committee chairman of the MCDCB Research, Program, and Organizational Development.

The Governance and Linkages Unit of the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation, Inc. (RAFI-G&L) seeks to foster responsive institutions and an engaged citizenry through awards and recognition, good governance and leadership development programs, and active linkages and platforms of engagement and collaboration.