Cebu City wants to increase LTRC membership

Local

THE push to expand local government representation in the management of the Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway (CCLEX) is gaining momentum, with proposed changes to the Local Toll Regulatory Council (LTRC) aiming to include more stakeholders in key decision-making processes.

As the country's longest and tallest bridge, CCLEX's operations have far-reaching implications, and local leaders are advocating for a broader, more inclusive governance structure.

Councilor Rey Gealon is leading the call for an amendment to the ordinance that established the LTRC. His proposal seeks to increase the council’s membership from five to seven by adding two new seats, including one for Cebu City and another for Cordova.

This move responds to growing demands for a more diverse representation, especially as the bridge impacts not just Cebu City but surrounding provinces as well.

Currently, the LTRC consists of representatives from Cebu City, Cordova, and three members from the Cebu Cordova Link Expressway Corporation (CCLEC).

Gealon's amendment would grant Cebu City and Cordova an additional representative each, while reducing CCLEC’s presence to a single seat.

The draft odinance, submitted to the Cebu City Council on November 6, also includes a requirement that at least four members have expertise in engineering, finance, law, commerce, or taxation, with the final member coming from the transportation sector.

This proposed change underscores broader concerns about ensuring that all relevant stakeholders, particularly those outside Cebu City, have a voice in the bridge’s future.

Reflecting this, the Cordova Municipal Council has recently amended its ordinance to advocate for the inclusion of the Cebu Provincial Government in the LTRC.

Governor Gwendolyn Garcia has voiced support for increased provincial involvement, emphasizing that most CCLEX users come from areas outside of Cebu City.

Garcia's advocacy for greater inclusivity was made during an October 21 meeting with CCLEC president Allan Alfon, Cebu City Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia, and Cordova Vice Mayor Victor Tago.

During the meeting, Alfon affirmed CCLEC’s commitment to collaborating with the provincial government to ensure fair representation.

The proposed restructuring of the LTRC aims to ensure that the governance of CCLEX reflects the interests of all stakeholders, particularly the provinces, in this critical public-private partnership between CCLEC, Cebu City, and Cordova.(MyTVCebu)