Brgy. Dapitan, Cordova, Cebu
March 2, 2017
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte led the groundbreaking ceremony of the Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway (CCLEX) in Barangay Dapitan, Cordova, Cebu.
In his remarks, the President expressed his gratitude to the Cebuanos for giving him around 1.4 million votes in the 2016 national elections, and shared his hopes that in the coming years, the Filipinos will see “a nation with bridges”.
He also reiterated his stance against illegal drugs and his commitment to apprehend illegal drug users and pushers in the entire country, together with the national police and the military.
“My oath before God and country is to preserve the Filipino people,” he said.
According to Cordova Municipal Mayor Therese Sitoy-Cho, the CCLEX is designed and will be constructed and operated by the Metro Pacific Tollways Development Corporation (MPTDC) led by its Chairman, Mr. Manuel ‘Manny’ Pangilinan.
Located around 7.5 kilometers south of the existing Mandaue Bridge, the infrastructure will have a total of 8.25-kilometers toll reach, connecting mainland Cebu and Cordova.
At the beginning of the program proper, President Duterte was joined by Mr. Pangilinan and other government officials in lowering the time capsule of the project, which is set to be completed in 2020.
Upon its construction, the CCLEX will greatly ease traffic congestion in Cebu and will also position Cordova as the main gateway for island tourism (in Cebu, Bohol, and the Visayas region). It will also provide faster route going to the Mactan Cebu International Airport.
The bridge is born out of the initiative of the local government units (LGUs) of Cebu City and Cordova. During the operation stage, LGU partners will receive a share of the toll fee revenues, which will help their respective governments in generating business and in providing basic social services to their constituents.
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