Despite moratorium on development: Osmeña approves subdivision in Talamban

CEBU, Philippines - Despite the existing ordinance banning new infrastructure projects within the Banilad-Talamban corridor, Mayor Tomas R. Osmeña has allowed the construction of a new subdivision in Talamban.

This after Engr. Nigel Paul Villarete, head of the City Planning and Development Office, and the City Traffic Operations Management, said that the new subdivision may not cause traffic congestion in the area.

When the City Council approved the ban on new developments within the Banilad-Talamban corridor, it still gave the mayor the power to allow certain projects.

“This is precisely the reason why buildings, especially of the commercial or high-end residential type are brought to the city mayor’s attention before the documents are processed,” Villarete said.

According to Villarete, the construction of 18 units of residential two-storey houses in Sitio Ylaya, Talamban has negligible contribution to the heavy congestion in the corridor.

The Talamban barangay council had also issued a resolution granting a clearance to Jute Development Corporation, the subdivision’s developer.

To recall, the City Council, upon the instruction of Osmeña, had enacted an ordinance that prohibits the commercialization of all government-owned lots, including that owned by the Capitol, within the Banilad area.

It said that the construction of commercial establishments within the government-owned lots will only worsen the traffic congestion in that place.

This affected the plan of the Capitol to build some commercial buildings, which they want to call “Ciudad,” in its Banilad property that used to be occupied by the Cebu International School.   (FREEMAN NEWS) (FREEMAN NEWS)