Road widening survey set

CEBU, Philippines - A survey will be conducted within three weeks on how to widen the south road without cutting the century-old trees and destroying the heritage houses along the national highway of Naga City, San Fernando and Carcar City.

The survey team will be composed of representatives of Department of Public Works and Highways, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Provincial Engineering Office, Cebu Provincial Tourism and Heritage Council and the concerned local government units.

There are more than 100 century-old trees, mostly acacia, and at least five heritage houses that would be affected in the road widening project. Capitol consultant on heritage and museum affairs Jojo Bersales said that each tree has a heritage value of P9 million.

In a meeting called yesterday by Governor Gwendolyn Garcia with DPWH, DENR and local officials, it was agreed that the trees would be on the center island of the four-lane road.

The existing two-lane road will be expanded into four lanes. The other two-lane road will divert from the old trees, which will make the highway very unique, according to Garcia.

DPWH-7 director Pedro Herrera, Jr. said that during the survey, he would check the original width of the road and review the plan where to divert the other lane.

Garcia, who is set to call a meeting after the survey on April 14, has opposed the cutting of century-old trees and destruction of heritage houses affected by the road expansion.

Garcia earlier commended Cebu first district Rep. Eduardo Gullas’ assurance to spare the century-old trees and heritage houses from destruction. — (FREEMAN)