Marcos inspects major infra projects in Cebu visit

Local

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. spent Monday, June 22, in Cebu inspecting a major expressway project, reviewing flood-control rehabilitation works, and launching a community kitchen program.

The President's multi-stop visit brought him to three key sites across Metro Cebu: the Metro Cebu Expressway Segment 3A in Naga City, a river rehabilitation area in Talisay City, and the newly opened Walang Gutom Kitchen at Pier 4 in Cebu City.

These visits come as the administration pushes forward with a cohesive agenda aimed at improving mobility, reducing disaster risks, and providing critical support to vulnerable sectors.

Marcos began his tour in Barangay Cansang-an, Naga City, to inspect ongoing works on the Metro Cebu Expressway Segment 3A.

The 4.55-kilometer road segment, which spans Barangays Pangdan and Inayagan, is expected to significantly improve connectivity between southern Cebu and the metro center while easing congestion along existing clogged routes.

According to government officials, the project will benefit more than 3,000 industrial workers, commuters, and motorists.

Once fully operational, travel time from Naga City to N. Bacalso

Avenue is expected to be slashed from 35 minutes to just 15 minutes.

While the current phase includes standard drainage construction and asphalt overlay, slope stabilization and environmental protection measures have also been integrated into the plan.

These engineering adjustments became necessary after portions of the area were severely affected by a landslide in 2023.

The administration has directed the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to expedite the project's completion, citing its vital role in accelerating the movement of people and goods within Cebu's growing economic corridor.

Subsequently, Marcos proceeded to Barangay San Isidro in Talisay City to inspect rehabilitation efforts along the Mananga River, an area heavily devastated by flash floods during Typhoon Tino in November 2025.

The sprawling rehabilitation project covers the barangays of San Isidro, Lawaan II, Mohon, Dumlog, and Biasong, where raging floodwaters previously destroyed river protection structures and endangered nearby communities.

Current repair works include restoring revetment walls, strengthening riverbank protection systems, and upgrading flood mitigation infrastructure to increase the river's capacity and reduce future erosion.

During a media briefing, Marcos recalled visiting the site shortly after the disaster.

He noted that structural upgrades were specifically introduced to remedy past engineering weaknesses.

"Binalikan natin, kung maalala ninyo, pinuntahan natin ito noong bago dumaan 'yung baha. At tiningnan natin, nakita natin na napakataas ng tubig at napakatagal bago 'yung umapaw na tubig eh napakatagal bago nawala," the President said.

To prevent such prolonged flooding, he explained that the flood-control structures have been completely redesigned and supplemented with advanced drainage networks.

"We will still continue to repair and to redesign the flood control here," Marcos added. "Hindi pa tapos ito."

In tandem with these immediate repairs, the President disclosed a major upstream intervention: the construction of a 70-meter dam along the Mananga River.

According to Marcos, the project has already been secured under the National Expenditure Program (NEP) for 2027.

"Nasa NEP na para sa budget for next year, for 2027. Naka-budget na at titiyakin natin na hindi magagalaw 'yung budget na 'yun pagdaan sa budget process," he assured.

Meanwhile, the government will continue implementing relocation efforts for residents still living within the river's high-risk areas.

This follows an earlier directive from Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon, who ordered the strict enforcement of a no-build zone along volatile portions of the Mananga River.

Marcos concluded his Cebu itinerary with the launch of the Walang Gutom Kitchen at Pier 4, a facility intended to provide daily meals and immediate access to social services for individuals experiencing involuntary hunger.

Operating under the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) Pag-abot Program, the center serves homeless individuals, families in street situations, and other vulnerable groups.

The facility distributes breakfast starting at 6 a.m. and lunch at 11 a.m., maintaining a daily capacity of roughly 200 to 250 beneficiaries per meal.

However, beyond immediate food assistance, the center functions as a comprehensive convergence hub. It offers social work interventions, client assessments, biometric identity verification, healthcare referrals, literacy support, and pathways to temporary shelter.

To sustain the program, the DSWD plans to establish partnerships with local hotels, restaurants, and food establishments to recover surplus food for redistribution, operating under the legal framework of the Food Donation Act of 2009.

Ultimately, the President's Cebu visit showcased a series of targeted projects addressing the region’s most recurring challenges: traffic congestion, seasonal flooding, and food insecurity.(TGP)