The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is now giving Cebu’s provincial government full authority to implement the Metro Cebu Expressway (MCE) project through a public-private partnership scheme.

Governor Gwendolyn Garcia on Saturday announced that the agency has delisted the MCE project from its Priority Infrastructure Flagship Programs (IFPs)/ Public Investment Program and is formally turning it over to the provincial government.

A letter was sent to Garcia, National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) chief Arsenio Balisacan, and Public-Private Partnership Center (PPPC) Executive Director Ma. Cynthia Hernandez, stating that the DPWH is “fully supporting Cebu province in its bid to lead the completion of the MCE project through available means, such as a Capitol-led public-private partnership.”

“This is to respectfully inform (you) that the Department (DPWH) is delisting the MCE project from the list of Priority Infrastructure Flagship Programs (IFPs) / Public Investment Program (PIP),” DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan said in his letter.

Garcia said the development would pave the way for the Provincial Economic Enterprise Council, which she chairs, to start welcoming proposals from the private sector interested in the Metro Cebu Expressway construction.

Lawyer Arjay Peralta, of the DPWH Public-Private Partnership Service Office based in Manila, said the agency would still assist the province.

He added there is no need for the provincial government to concur with the agency before it begins the project.

“The participation of the local government is very important in the sense that on their own, they can ask for investors or they can look for any proponents who want to implement this project,” Peralta said.

The Metro Cebu Expressway is a PHP94 billion infrastructure project covering 56.9 km. stretching from Naga City to Danao City, an alternative route to escape heavy traffic along main roads in the metropolis. (PNA)