DPWH nixes city request for funds to improve roads

The Department of Public Works and Highways has rejected the request of the city government for the funding to improve the access roads connecting barangays Guadalupe and Lahug, and passing through the hinterland between barangays Kalunasan and Capitol Site.

The City Council had sought the help of the DPWH for the improvement of the roads from Harlemmermeer Bridge in Guadalupe to Kalunasan Elementary School, then the access road from that school to Beverly Hills heading toward Lahug.

The city government wanted the funds for the project be taken from the DPWH budget for the Asean Summit, but DPWH district engineer Nicomedes Leonor Jr. explained that those roads are not national roads and thus could not qualify for funds from the summit budget.

These roads the city officials have wanted to improve are a shorter way from Guadalupe to Lahug. These are however narrow and in bad condition that only a few would dare pass through them.

At present, motorists coming from barangay Guadalupe must take Escario Street to Gorordo Avenue if they want to go to Lahug.

Motorists coming from Lahug and wishing to proceed to Guadalupe would just take Sudlon Road, then to Capitol Hills and to a road that exits beside the Capitol building, instead of going directly to barangay Kalunasan.

"Kon ayohon sa atong mga opisyal ang maong access roads, makatabang g'yod ni nga maminos-minosan ang problema sa trapiko sa Escario Street," a traffic enforcer at Escario Street said. - Rene U. Borromeo