Lapu-Lapu skyway project sealed

Local

A HANDSHAKE and a signature sealed a major step toward the realization of Lapu-Lapu City’s skyway, which will be the first outside Metro Manila.

Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. (MPTC) and Lapu-Lapu Expressway Corp. (LLEX Corp.) on Thursday, March 6, signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to push forward the long-awaited expressway project, despite recent setbacks.

MPTC Chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan led the signing alongside MPTC President and CEO Jose Ma. Lim, LLEX Corp. representative Francis Lloyd Chua, PMI Chairman Alfredo Comendador Jr., and Ulticon Builders Vice President for Operations Ruben Garcia.

Witnessing the event were Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Junard “Ahong” Chan, Vice Mayor Celedonio Sitoy, Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway Corp. (CCLEC) President and General Manager Allan Alfon, and Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia.

Pangilinan said the MVP Group of Companies would fully fund the project, despite the withdrawal of MPTC’s Spanish private partner.

He assured that this investment was a commitment to Cebu’s future, emphasizing that travel times for Cebuanos should not be too long.

LLEX Corp., a consortium of Premium Megastructures Inc. (PMI) and Ulticon Builders Inc., expects construction to begin soon and finish within two years.

City Legal Officer James Allan Sayson cited studies showing that the expressway would generate P1.32 billion in annual economic benefits, or P3.6 million per day.

Chan said the Lapu-Lapu City Government would not shoulder construction costs but would receive a share of toll revenues and advertising income.

He added that private stakeholders would finalize financial details in the coming months.

While the bridge alignment will affect at least eight houses in Barangay Basak, Lapu-Lapu City, Chan assured that affected residents would receive proper assistance and relocation.

Garcia praised the collaboration, saying she had always advocated for public-private partnerships (PPP) because she believed they were essential for infrastructure development.

She expressed her support for the LLEX project, noting that such partnerships were the way forward.

First proposed in 2021, LLEX will span 12 kilometers, providing a direct link between the Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway (CCLEX) and the Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA).

The elevated toll road aims to decongest the existing Mactan-Mandaue bridges and reduce travel time between Cebu’s mainland and Mactan Island.

Originally, the project involved PMI, Ulticon Builders, MTD Philippines Inc., and China First Highway Engineering Co. Ltd. (CFHEC).

However, CFHEC and MTD Philippines withdrew in mid-2024 due to financial and resource allocation concerns.

Despite these changes, the project remains on track.

Pangilinan said MPTC was committed to completing the expressway, with groundbreaking expected in the coming months.

Chan emphasized that the project would not only be cost-free for the city but would also generate income, ease traffic congestion, and boost the economy of both Lapu-Lapu City and the entire Cebu province.

Once operational, the skyway will provide a seamless alternative route, improving access to MCIA, hotels, and resorts while cutting transport costs and reducing vehicle wear and tear.(MyTVCebu)