When the price of gasoline and diesel rose to over a hundred pesos, the highways of Cebu became quiet. The heavy traffic in major cities like Cebu, Mandaue, and Lapu-Lapu also eased.
But as oil product prices decreased, most vehicles returned to travel. The roads became congested again. To address this, a proposal for a Cebu coastal highway has been put forward.
Historical Context
The late Gregorio Sanchez Jr., former vice governor, previously planned a Cebu Trans-axial Highway through the middle of Cebu Island from Santander to Daanbantayan. However, that plan, estimated to cost from P40 to P120 billion, reportedly vanished into thin air.
Metro Cebu Expressway
A Metro Cebu Expressway from Naga City to Danao City has been started. But when will it be completed? During a meeting of the Regional Development Council (RDC) 7, Naga City Mayor Val Chiong complained that not a single person was seen working on that expressway.
New Proposal
Cebu Gov. Pamela Baricuatro and Congressman Sun Shimura pushed for a Cebu coastal highway from Daanbantayan to Santander in the RDC 7. This would not have difficulty with road right of way as it would run along the coast.
The aim is to ease traffic, boost tourism, and improve the economy of Cebu Province. However, it still needs to undergo a feasibility study before the national government allocates a budget.
Flood Control Projects
According to the Sumbong ng Pangulo website, Cebu was allocated P26.7 billion for 414 flood control projects from 2022 to 2025. But during the severe flooding caused by Typhoon Tino on November 5, 2025, many lives were lost.
Flood control projects are funded more quickly, but some have become ghost projects, faster than the Metro Cebu Expressway and the late Vice Governor Greg Sanchez's Cebu Trans-axial highway.
There are projects close to the hearts of lawmakers that remain silent. Congress holds the government's purse strings. Perhaps the Cebu coastal highway will also come close to the hearts of lawmakers.
