Some time ago, it took around three to four hours to get from Cebu City in the east to the town of Balamban in the west passing through the Manipis Road or the Naga National Road. But this changed after the transcentral highway was built, which cut travel time by half.
The transcentral highway of Cebu is considered as one of the best innovations in the island in terms of transportation. The 33-kilometer highway stretches from Plaza Housing in Lahug, Cebu City up to Barangay Prenza in Balamban. When viewed from the air, the highway looks like a snake resting in the middle of the mountains of the island. Some people have also compared the transcentral highway to the Kennon Road in Baguio due to the cool temperature and its green surroundings. The highway can also become foggy when it rains in the area.
There are a number of establishments built along and close to the transcentral highway. These include restaurants like Chateau de Busay and Lantaw Native Restaurant in Busay. Another eating place you can find along the highway is Felixberto’s Burgers and Hotdogs. The Tops Lookout is also located close to the highway along with the Adventure Café.
When you reach the highest point of the transcentral highway, you will get the chance to see the Queen City of the South. You may also see the Balamban Shipyard or Tsuneishi Heavy Industries Inc. and the Malubog Lake when you reach the Balamban part of the transcentral highway. You may even get to see a part of Asturias when you are at the highest point. You will also notice that the island of Cebu still has places that have remained relatively untouched by commercial development.
If you are traversing the transcentral highway, it is advisable to remember the following things:
- Since it gets foggy at night whenever it rains, it is recommended to travel during the daytime. This is especially true if you are not quite familiar with the place.
- If you need to stop along the highway, it is also advisable to look for a suitable place where you can park your vehicle so you will not obstruct traffic.