INFRASTRUCTURE, UTILITIES, FACILITIES
In the past five (5) years, the Municipality of Cordova implemented various infrastructure projects funded out of its local funds and/or from the national government and through public-private partnerships. The following are the major physical infrastructure projects of Cordova:
Cordova RORO Port
The Cordova RORO Port was developed in 2011 and financed out of Cordova’s loan proceeds from the Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP) in the amount of P23.0 Million with a local counterpart of P7.0 Million.
It is a one (1) hectare development situated in sitio Camolinas, Poblacion, Cordova. The port is now regularly servicing the Cordova-Jetafe route, although there are also tourist boats that docked in the port caters island hopping guests/tourists to the nearby islets in Mactan Island and the Province of Bohol.
Construction of Birthing Center
A birthing center is being established within the Municipality of Cordova to address birth delivery needs and in response to the “no home birthing policy” of the Department of Health. The center is located in Poblacion right at the back of Cordova Public Plaza and is manned by competent and trained Rural Health Midwives. The Center is also within the same compound with the Senior Citizens’ Building and a Daycare Center (of Poblacion). The compound has a total area of approximately 1,185 square meters (the birthing center occupies around 110 square meters).
Cordova Public Hospital
There is no operational public hospital yet in Cordova. Patients with emergency and medical needs which require tertiary level treatment are being brought to the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center, which is about 20 kilometers away from the town. The people of Cordova long desired to have its own hospital facility.
A multi-purpose building intended for public hospital use and occupancy is being constructed in Pilipog, Cordova, Cebu. Initially, it will be an infirmary hospital to attend to the immediate medical needs of the constituents.San Miguel Socialized Housing Project
A 3,500 square-meter development in San Miguel, Cordova, Cebu is being established to address housing needs of the Cordovanhons. In 2015, a total of 24 housing units were built and occupied. The project was realized through the support of Aboitizland (developer of Ajoya Subdivision) and My Van Properties, Inc. (developer of Andalucia Crest Subdivision); both residential subdivisions are located in Gabi, Cordova, Cebu.
Road Projects
For the past 5 years, there are about seven (7) new roads were opened, and these include the Kasadya Road (Poblacion); Ka Tura Road (back of Cordova Public Plaza, Poblacion); Datag Road (Catarman); Bangbang Road (back of Gaisano Grand Mall); Bantayan to RORO Port Road (Camolinas, Poblacion); Cordova Centennial Road; Coastal Road (Catarman); and Coastal Road (Camolinas – Intramuros).
The construction of the Cordova Coastal Circumferential Road has also commenced in the segments of Dapitan-Ibabao and Poblacion (Bantayan) – Catarman.
Please see Map 1 (Road Network Map)
Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway (CCLEX)
Otherwise known as the “3rd bridge”, CCLEX is expected to commence in 2017 and will be finished and operational in 2021.
It is 8.25 kilometer bridge and roadway development with a project cost of P27.9 Billion funded through a Joint Venture arrangement by and among the City of Cebu, the Municipality of Cordova, and the winning private proponent, the Metro Pacific Tollways Development Corporation. It has a total of four (4) lanes and has a height of 51 meters from the highest water level.
From Cebu City, it shall connect through on and off ramps from Cebu South Coastal Road. A main bridge spanning the navigation path to Shell Island, and will be 705 meters long. A viaduct that will span the distance between the main bridge to the causeway which continues to Cordova, which will be around 800 meters long and will be of AASHTO box girder construction. The causeway which leads to Barangay Pilipog in Cordova, which will be a new 4-lane roadway on an embankment with a total lenght of 4.58 km from and of the viaduct. The causeway will be raised 2 meters above HWL of 2.06 meters and will skirt around the existing mangroves to get to Barangay Pilipog. An at-grade roadway connecting to the MCR which will be 960 meters long with two lanes in each direction. It will be built over the banks parallel to Pilipog River.
Cebu-Bohol Friendship Bridge via Jetafe-Cordova connection
The provinces of Cebu and Bohol are also planned to be linked through a 42-kilometer bridge that would traverse the coastal areas via Cordova (in Cebu) and Jetafe (in Bohol).
Map 1 – Road Network Map
The 3-in-1 link will have its approaches and landings on the islets. It is dubbed as 3-in-1 since it serves three (3) major purposes: 1, bridge; 2, transporter of power lines to light up the islets (which are tourists destinations) from Cebu to Bohol; 3, passage of water pipes from Bohol to Cebu. Indeed, a friendship bridge.
To date, there is no timeline yet as to the actual construction and operation of the bridge project.
Green Loop Program
Cordova also takes part in the planning of the Green Loop Program. The Green Loop is a concept of improving connectivity and making Metro Cebu compact and walkable. It is a pedestrian-oriented and program covering Cebu City, Mandaue, Lapu-Lapu and Cordova. On the part of Cordova, it concerns part of Mactan Circumferential Road and the CCLEX (when it becomes operational).
The concept will be characterized by Consolidation (Interconnected and Compact); Integrated, Coordinated & Participative; Resilience and Sustainability; Green Initiatives; Innovative, Creative and Competitive; Inclusive, Equitable and Livable; and Cultural and Historic.
The concept is also illustrated in the figure below:
Development of an Esplanade
There is an idea to develop the areas along Pilipog-Gabi River (the body of water which is technically not a river) into an esplanade (similar to that of Iloilo Esplanade) or boulevard primarily for flood control purposes, and secondarily for tourism and aesthetic reasons.
The proposed site is located along Pilipog-Gabi River is a strip of dry land along the Pilipog-Gabi which is adjacent to Sudtongan, Suba-Basbas, Kalawisan, and Basak in Lapu-Lapu City side while in the Cordova side, it is flanking barangays Gabi, Ibabao, Dapitan and Pilipog.
The project is expected to benefit at least 300,000 island residents of Mactan which is composed of Lapu-Lapu City and the Municipality of Cordova, not to mention the cities of Cebu, Talisay, Mandaue and the Province of Cebu as well. Benefits that will be derived from the project may come in various forms such as employment, livelihood, economic opportunities, tourism development and on top of it all – – flood and drainage control and sanitation.
The desire is to restore the clean characteristic of the river, improve the ambiance, and transform the nearby area into an esplanade or a boulevard where local and/or foreign tourists and residents can freely explore, simply stroll and experience a personal and up-close encounter with the mangroves and other coastal organisms.
Proposed projects to be funded out of the loan proceeds from the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP).
In 2015, the Municipality of Cordova has accessed a loan facility with the Development Bank of the Philippines to finance its priority projects.
On November 16, 2015, Cordova through the Sangguniang Bayan enacted Ordinance No. 004-2015, Series of 2015 entitled “Authorizing the Municipal Mayor, Honorable Adelino B. Sitoy to enter into a Loan Agreement with the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) in the amount of One Hundred Twenty-Five Million (125,000,000.00) to finance the various projects of the Municipality of Cordova.
On February 29, 2016, DBP approved the loan application of Cordova in the amount of ₱115,600,000.00 for the following projects:
Construction of Cordova Public Market – ₱64,800,000.00
Constructional Additional Burial Vaults for the Cordova Public Cemetery – ₱9,900,000.00
Construction of Slaughterhouse – ₱9,900,000.00
Construction of Multi-purpose Building (Evacuation Center – ₱10,000,000.00
Construction of Motor Pool Building – ₱1,000,000.00
Road Concreting of Access Road & Parking area for the Proposed Cordova Hospital – ₱5,000,000.00
Acquisition of Heavy Equipment (dump truck and excavator), service vehicle, Bus for Public Economic Enterprise & Disaster Preparedness – ₱15,000,000.00
Infrastructure Projects funded under the Bottoms-up Budgeting (BuB) Process
From 2014 to 2019, Cordova implemented infrastructure projects funded under the BuB Program which later on renamed to Assistance to Disadvantaged Municipalities (ADM) and subsequently renamed again to Assistance to Municipalities (AM), which includes the following:
Farm to Market Road (Road Asphalting under the Department of Agriculture) – ₱5,906,111.00
Concreting of RORO Port Road – ₱750,000.00
Provision of Potable Water Supply – ₱1,000,000.00
Concreting of Bantayan-Catarman Road – ₱1,500,000.00
Infrastructure Projects funded under the KALAHI-CIDSS NCDDP
Cordova is also a recipient of the Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan – Comprehensive Integrated Delivery of Social Service National Community-Driven Development Project or KALAHI-CIDSS NCCDP lodged under the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
All barangays were covered by the community driven infrastructure projects at an amount of ₱1.0 Million (plus) each for a total of ₱20,200,995.00.
Please see Map 16 (Infrastructure Map)
Other Proposed Projects
Other proposed projects include the following:
Cordova Town Center
This proposed project intends to improve the existing the Cordova Public Market located in Poblacion, Cordova, Cebu to make it more spacious and presentable. The Cordova Town Center Project is also contemplated to cover the renovation of the Cordova Plaza II and the Cordova Sports Complex.
Solid Waste Management Facility
Subject to further study, Cordova plans to establish a sanitary landfill in Cordova or put up an efficient waste to energy facility. Also planned is the establishment of a Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) and a Communal Compost Pit to ensure proper management of solid waste management.
Integrated Transport Terminal
An inter-modal transport terminal is also proposed to be established within the Municipality of Cordova, the site that is being eyed is an area located in Bangbang, Cordova, Cebu right at the back of Gaisano Grand Mall.
strong>Daycare Centers
In addition to the existing daycare centers, additional children’s daycare centers may be established in the barangays to accommodate the increasing number of daycare children.
School Expansion
To meet the growing number of school-going age population, it is proposed that another secondary school will be established in Cordova. At the same time, the expansion of Cordova Public College is also considered by building more classrooms.
Mangrove Park
The wetland areas of Cordova are mostly covered with mangrove forests. Thick mangrove forests are found along the coast of Buagsong, Day-as, Bangbang, San Miguel and Pilipog. There is a good potential to develop a mangrove park on these areas.
Mangrove Propagation and Information Center
The proposed project aims to put up a Mangrove Propagation and Information Center which shall undertake the development mangrove nurseries, the multiplication and planting of mangrove trees in the coastal areas and the rehabilitation of the degraded mangrove ecosystem, among others.
SM Reclamation Project
A reclamation project in Cordova which spans to an area of, more or less, 1,500 hectares
Cruise Ship Port
There is also a plan to develop the existing Cordova Port into a Cruise Ship Port which is eyed to compliment the town’s tourism projects.
Cordova Eco-tourism Project
It is a proposed 125-hectare development which is composed of five (5) islets located off the coast of Catarman, Cordova, Cebu.
Edview Business Corridor
The Edview Business Corridor project which has the characteristics of live, work and play activities is proposed in the portion of the coasts next to barangays Gabi and Alegria.
Facilities and Utilities
The seat of municipal government is located at the center of the town (in Poblacion). It is proximate to the Roman Catholic Church, Public Plaza, Sports Complex and the Cordova Public Market. The Police Station and the Fire Station as well as the Birthing Center and the Senior Citizens’ Day Center and Children’s Daycare Center are also located within the vicinity.
Schools, public and private are dispersed all throughout the municipality. Private clinics and barangay health stations are also found in every barangay to cater to the health needs of the community.
Other infrastructure facilities include the library hub which is lodged at Cordova Central School, the Public Museum which made use of the Old Municipal Building, and the Cordova Public College building in Gabi, Cordova, Cebu. Basketball or covered courts are also available in the barangays which accommodate sports and cultural activities and also serve as temporary evacuation centers in times of catastrophes.
Other structures are built and operated by private and business owners. These include commercial, tourism and resort facilities that accommodate local and foreign tourists.
Basic utilities are also available such as power (provided by Mactan Electric Company), water (provided by Metro Cebu Water District, and communication services (Philippine Long Distance Telephone and Globelines as well Smart, SUN, Globe, and Talk ‘n Text. Carriers and kwarta padala centers are also available within the town.
Table 10 below shows the available infrastructure resources in Cordova, its location and area occupied:
Table 10. Infrastructure Resources
| NAME OF FACILITY | LOCATION | AREA OCCUPIED (in sq m) |
|---|---|---|
| Municipal Hall | Poblacion | 1,644 |
| Cordova Public Museum | Poblacion | 140 |
| Cordova Sports Complex | Poblacion | 1,784 |
| Cordova Public Market | Poblacion | 3,358 |
| Cordova Public Plaza I & II | Poblacion | 1,728 |
| Cordova Senior Citizens’ Day Center | Poblacion | 64 |
| Poblacion Daycare Center | Poblacion | 69 |
| Cordova RORO Port | Camolinas, Poblacion | 1,609 |
| Cordova Police Station | Poblacion | 222 |
| Cordova Fire Station | Poblacion | 257 |
| Cordova Public College | Gabi, Cordova | 2,812 |
| Cordova Central School | Poblacion | 11,388 |
| Gabi Elementary School | Gabi | 3,652 |
| Alegria Elementary School | Alegria | 2,208 |
| Gilutongan Elementary School | Gilutongan | 4,756 |
| Gilutongan Sanctuary Guardhouse | Gilutongan | 64 |
| Catarman Elementary School | Catarman | 2,022 |
| Day-as Elementary School | Day-as | 4,766 |
| Cordova National High School | Day-as | 6,165 |
| Bangbang Elementary School | Bangbang | 2,175 |
| Buagsong Elementary School | Buagsong | 1,782 |
| Pilipog Elementary School | Pilipog | 5,834 |
| Ibabao Elementary School | Ibabao | 2,435 |
| Cordova Public Hospital | Pilipog | 4,471 |
All in all, the total area dedicated for public infrastructure resources is more or less 65,405 square meters or 6.5 hectares. In 2017, Cordova invested a total of P38,032,500.00 in infrastructure development which is about 26% of the town’s total budget.
Road Network
Cordova is crisscrossed by a total of 30.15 kilometers of public road. The Mactan Circumferential Road (MCR) traversed the town from Pilipog Bridge (Babag II side) to the tip of Barangay Gabi (Marigondon side), about 8 kilometers long. This is the national road.
The MCR is complemented by provincial, municipal, and barangays that networks all barangays of Cordova except the island barangay of Gilutongan.
Table below shows the inventory of national, municipal and barangay roads. Cordova’s road networks have a total stretch of 30,150 meters or 30.15 kilometers.
Inventory of Existing Roads; By Type and Description
| TYPE/DESCRIPTION | TOTAL LENGTH (in meters) | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
National Road Mactan Circumferential Road (Gabi – Ibabao) | 4,715 | Good |
| % Share | 14.93 | |
Provincial Road Poblacion Crossroad to Day-as Wharf | 1,600 | Good |
| % Share | 5.31 | |
Municipal Road Poblacion Crossroad to Bantayan Wharf | 680 | Good |
| % Share | 2.26 | |
| Barangay Roads | ||
| Gabi Camino – Alegria Tumoy | 700 | 500 meters is in good condition while the |
| Alegria Tumoy to Alegria Golden Meadows area | 1,100 | 800 meters is in good condition while the |
| Centennial Avenue (Alegria – Poblacion) | 535 | Good |
| Intramuros – Poblacion | 500 | 200 meters is in good condition while the |
| Camolinas, Poblacion | 1,300 | 1,000 meters is in good condition while the |
| Public Plaza – Ka Tura, Poblacion (New Road) | 400 | Good |
| Agad-agad, Poblacion | 600 | 500 meters is in good condition while the |
| Calan-Poso, Poblacion (Kasadya) | 385 | Good |
| Poso, Poblacion – Cemetery | 500 | For concreting |
| Bantayan to RORO Port | 1,235 | Good |
| Catarman Road | 700 | 200 meters is in good condition while the |
| Cansubing – Catarman | 400 | 300 meters is in good condition while the |
| Public Plaza to Cansubing | 270 | For concreting |
| Buagsong Road | 800 | Good |
| Bangbang | 1,800 | 1,000 meters is in good condition while the |
| Bangbang – Ka Tura (Poblacion, new road) | 545 | For concreting |
| Day-as – Bangbang | 500 | Good |
| San Miguel | 1,300 | 900 meters is in good condition while the |
| Pilipog | 600 | Good |
| Pilipog – Kasambagan | 400 | For concreting |
| Dapitan – Dapitan Centro | 800 | Good |
| Highway Dapitan – Cogon | 600 | Good |
| Cogon Proper | 1,000 | Good but 325 meters is for asphalt overlay |
| Ibabao | 3,200 | Good |
| Ibabao Highway to Ibabao Elementary School | 1,300 | 970 meters is in good condition while 330 |
| Ibabao Barangay Hall to Bangkal Tumoy | 1,200 | 400 meters is in good condition; 400 meters |
| BLISS Ibabao | 700 | 350 meters is in good condition while the |
| Sub-total | 23,370 | |
| % Share | 76.96 | |
| Over-all Total | 30,365 |