Cebu Governor-elect Pamela Baricuatro has expressed strong support for the proposed Naga-Cebu cities coastal road, a project she believes will generate jobs and ease traffic congestion in the southern parts of the province.

Baricuatro’s endorsement came after executives from Visayas NeCeBoLey Interlink Holdings Corp. (VNIHC) presented the project to her. The NeCeBoLey project is a broader 238.05-kilometer network of all-weather bridges and expressways designed to connect Negros, Cebu, Bohol and Leyte.

“Imagine a future where Negros, Cebu, Bohol and Leyte are seamlessly connected, bringing rural communities closer to urban centers and opening up new opportunities for everyone,” Baricuatro said.

The incoming governor is prioritizing Package C of the project, which involves constructing a viaduct and causeway to link the City of Naga to the South Road Properties in Cebu City.

This phase will require the reclamation of 568.37 hectares from the coastlines of Naga (172.49 hectares), Talisay City (247.68 hectares), and Minglanilla (148.20 hectares).

Baricuatro stressed that Package C aligns with her “Jobs for All” and “Poverty Alleviation” initiatives and beyond job creation, the project is expected to significantly alleviate traffic congestion in southeastern Cebu.

The reclaimed land is also designated for the development of ready-to-use complexes for residential, commercial, industrial and tourism purposes.

VNIHC has secured original proponent status from the local government units of Negros Oriental, Cebu, Bohol and Southern Leyte, allowing the mega-project to proceed under a public-private partnership framework.