NAGA CITY, Cebu – A crucial 4.55-kilometer segment of the Metro Cebu Expressway, Segment 3A, is now passable to motorists, more than two years after a catastrophic landslide crippled the vital artery. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. personally announced the long-awaited reopening on Monday during an inspection tour, signaling a significant, albeit partial, restoration of connectivity for southern Cebu. This pivotal stretch, connecting Barangay Pangdan to Barangay Inayagan in Naga City, marks a tangible achievement for a project long beset by setbacks.
This development brings immediate, tangible relief to thousands of daily commuters and injects renewed life into the economic prospects of the region. For a segment plagued by years of delays and environmental challenges, its reopening underscores the persistent complexities of large-scale infrastructure development while offering a critical boost to local industries and residents who have endured arduous journeys. It represents a vital step toward realizing the ambitious vision for regional mobility.
President Marcos Jr., accompanied by Public Works Secretary Vivencio Dizon, Trade Secretary Ma. Cristina Roque, and Cebu Governor Pamela Baricuatro, underscored his administration’s commitment to accelerating vital infrastructure projects. The ceremonial inspection at Sitio Riverside in Barangay Cantao-an offered a scene of cautious optimism, acknowledging that while the road is now functional, slope protection works are diligently continuing to fortify the terrain against future calamities. Secretary Dizon confirmed the segment's readiness for public use, signaling the end of a prolonged period of disruption.
The reopening is particularly transformative for the approximately 4,000 factory workers employed by a major Japanese manufacturing firm in Barangay Cantao-an. These workers, who contribute to the production of crucial smartphone components, have faced arduous commutes, often walking through challenging weather and over damaged ground since the expressway segment collapsed in October 2023. The extended impassability not only imposed severe personal hardships but also significantly impacted the company's operations.
Tatsuya Mori, the president of the affected Japanese company, articulated the profound difficulties, highlighting how "poor road conditions led to damaged products during transport, resulting in financial losses and raising concerns among investors." The restored connectivity is projected to dramatically reduce travel time between Barangay Pangdan and the Naga Valley Industrial Park, cutting what was once a 25-minute journey down to a mere 10 minutes. For those traveling between Naga City and N. Bacalso Avenue, the commute could be reduced from 35 minutes to 15 minutes, promising enhanced efficiency and productivity across the region's industrial backbone.
The saga of Segment 3A is a microcosm of the formidable challenges inherent in large-scale infrastructure development within a geographically complex and environmentally sensitive region. Construction for this segment originally commenced in 2018, intended as a crucial link within the ambitious 56.94-kilometer Metro Cebu Expressway project. This larger endeavor aims to establish a seamless north-south backbone, stretching from Naga City in the south to Danao City in the north, to alleviate traffic congestion and spur economic growth.
However, the P1.9-billion Segment 3A quickly encountered a series of formidable obstacles, delaying its progress almost from the outset. Right-of-way issues proved particularly contentious, coupled with persistent funding constraints and significant environmental compliance challenges that repeatedly stalled construction efforts. These early hurdles foreshadowed the more catastrophic event that would halt the project entirely.
The most severe blow came in October 2023, when torrential rains and unstable soil triggered a massive landslide, causing a significant portion of Segment 3A to collapse. This natural disaster not only brought construction to a standstill but also drew the stringent scrutiny of environmental watchdogs, intensifying the project's already complex regulatory landscape. The collapse laid bare the environmental vulnerabilities inherent in building through mountainous terrain.
In February 2024, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources – Environmental Management Bureau (DENR-EMB) issued a cease and desist order against the project. The regulatory body primarily cited the absence of an Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) for the affected section, a critical permit required for environmentally sensitive developments. Additionally, the DENR-EMB highlighted concerns over the blockage of Cantao-an Creek, further emphasizing the environmental impact of the construction.
It was only in August 2025 that the DENR-EMB partially lifted the cease and desist order, allowing essential rehabilitation measures to proceed in the landslide-affected area. This regulatory approval paved the way for intensified efforts by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to complete the segment. President Marcos Jr.'s direct directive to expedite the project, setting a firm June 2026 deadline, served as a powerful impetus, pushing contractors and engineers to overcome the remaining hurdles.
The engineering response to the landslide involved not just repairing the damaged section but also strategically relocating parts of the road away from precarious ravines and implementing robust slope protection measures. These comprehensive rehabilitation efforts included drainage systems, asphalt overlay, slope stabilization, and creek rehabilitation, with approximately P100 million of the repair costs drawn from the national budget, under the direct supervision of the DPWH.
While Segment 3A, with its estimated cost of P1.9 billion, remains under the direct supervision and funding of the DPWH, the broader Metro Cebu Expressway project is envisioned as a multi-faceted endeavor requiring extensive collaboration. The remaining segments — 1, 2, and 3B — are slated to be developed under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) scheme, reflecting a strategic shift in funding and implementation for other parts of the ambitious roadway. This division of responsibility highlights the intricate coordination required between national agencies, local government units, and private entities to realize such a monumental infrastructure vision.
The full completion of the 56.94-kilometer Metro Cebu Expressway promises to be a game-changer for regional connectivity, significantly easing traffic congestion along existing coastal highways and fostering improved mobility across Metro Cebu’s central, coastal, southern, and northern urban districts. It is expected to not only reduce travel times and fuel consumption but also to unlock new avenues for economic development and tourism by facilitating the seamless movement of people and commerce, thereby enhancing the region's overall economic competitiveness.
This ambitious roadway is designed to serve as a vital north-south backbone, offering a crucial alternative to the often-congested coastal routes that currently bear the brunt of Metro Cebu's rapidly increasing traffic volume. Its strategic integration into the regional transport network is poised to alleviate daily gridlock, improve logistical efficiency for businesses, and provide residents with more reliable and quicker access to employment centers, markets, and social services. The project encapsulates a broader national push to modernize infrastructure and stimulate growth across key economic hubs.
While the journey toward the full vision of the 56.94-kilometer Metro Cebu Expressway remains extensive, the successful reopening of Segment 3A offers a tangible demonstration of resolve, signaling that even the most formidable challenges can yield to persistent engineering and political will, paving a clearer path for southern Cebu's future.