Metro Cebu Expressway Segment 3A Rehabilitation Progresses After Landslide Delays
Rehabilitation works are actively ongoing on Segment 3A of the Metro Cebu Expressway (MCE) in the City of Naga, Cebu. This critical infrastructure section had previously been sidelined due to significant landslides and various legal hurdles that stalled progress for an extended period.
Project Scope and Media Visit Details
During a comprehensive media visit held on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, government officials provided detailed insights into the extensive scope of this 56.94-kilometer expressway project. Originally launched in 2018, the ambitious Metro Cebu Expressway serves as a vital alternative route designed to alleviate severe traffic congestion throughout Metro Cebu. The expressway strategically links the City of Naga in the southern region to Danao City in the northern area, creating an essential transportation corridor.
The 8.38-kilometer Segment 3 has been systematically divided into two distinct sections: Segment 3A and Segment 3B. According to the contractor's site engineer who spoke during the media briefing, Segment 3A remains firmly under the jurisdiction and management of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). The engineer emphasized that rehabilitation efforts for Segment 3A resumed around July 2025, following the crucial lifting of a cease-and-desist order (CDO) that had been issued in early 2024.
Historical Challenges and Environmental Compliance Issues
Segment 3A, which spans 4.55 kilometers through Naga City, was originally constructed under a DPWH contract but experienced a partial collapse due to devastating landslides in October 2023. This structural failure directly led to the issuance of the cease-and-desist order in February 2024, effectively halting all construction activities.
In a February 8, 2024 report published by SunStar Cebu, Engr. Mary Ann Bueno of the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) informed then Cebu governor Gwendolyn Garcia that the specific portion of the project that collapsed had not been granted an essential Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC). An ECC represents a critical document issued by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) that certifies a proposed project's compliance with environmental regulations and confirms that all necessary management plans have been properly integrated into the Environmental Impact Assessment.
In a separate report dated February 24, 2024, Governor Garcia formally informed DPWH Central Visayas (DPWH 7) that the Provincial Government would not consider lifting the cease-and-desist order until all safety concerns and hazard assessments related to the October 2023 landslide had been thoroughly addressed. Garcia further noted that DPWH 7 and its contractor had failed to apply for a required quarry permit for soil excavation activities at the expressway construction site, highlighting additional regulatory oversights.
Future Benefits and Transportation Impact
Once fully completed, the Metro Cebu Expressway is strategically designed to significantly improve connectivity between northern and southern Cebu while simultaneously reducing traffic pressure on existing highway systems. This infrastructure development promises to enhance regional transportation efficiency and support economic growth throughout Central Visayas.
