Fate of Cebu tollway now in hands of LGU DPWH

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has given up control on the civil works of the Metro Cebu Expressway (MCE), leaving the fate of the project to the local government of Cebu.

- ELIJAH FELICE ROSALES

Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan confirmed to reporters that his agency has passed on the obligation to finish the MCE to the Cebu government.

Bonoan said the local government wants to take over the construction of the MCE, as it plans to offer the project to the private sector through a public-private partnership (PPP).

Initially, the DPWH was supposed to bid out the contract for the operations and maintenance of the tollway that will run across Cebu. The agency had planned on soliciting offers from some of the biggest infrastructure builders such as the Metro Pacific Group.