Flyover may open before classes start

CEBU, Philippines - If the Department of Public Works and Highways will see that it is safe for the use of motorists even while the construction of the phase 2 is ongoing, the Mambaling flyover is more likely to be opened before classes start in June.

DPWH Cebu City District Engineer Nicomedes Leonor said that once the center island is removed, the DPWH-7 might allow the flyover’s opening. The center island is close to the flyover and poses risk to motorists.

Leonor said the five-month waiting period that DPWH-7 director Pedro Herrera Jr. said is a conservative guess because they have to consider not just the time needed for the actual construction but all the paper works to be done to start with the phase 2.

Phase 2 includes the removal of the center island and widening of the side roads. The widening of the side roads has a P100 million budget.

“It was only a conservative guess from our regional director but I’m sure that when all the paper works are done, there is no need to wait for five months to make the flyover passable,” Leonor said.

He explained that Herrera might be considering possible delays in the approval of the phase 2 plan, which is done in their central office in Manila.

“Syempre naa man na’y mga requirements ang central office that we need to comply. We don’t want to make shortcuts. We even sent a stay-in personnel there aron kung naa’y kulangan sa requirements, adto na lang ma-correct,” Leonor said.

“Kaming tanan ganahan na mapaspasan ni, but we also have limitations on out part. Naa’y department order, naa’y procurement law that we need to follow,” he added.

The construction of the flyover, which is a national government project, is worth over P110 million.

Once the DPWH main office approves the plan is the only time the phase 2 will be bid out. And since the project costs more than P50 million, only the main office may conduct the bidding.

This is a new policy of DPWH under President Benigno Aquino III.

Leonor said they are only after the safety of motorists who are vulnerable to accidents if they open the flyover for use when there are things that are not yet fixed.

Mayor Michael Rama suggests that the flyover be opened for one way while the construction of phase 2 is ongoing. Motorists taking the other way may take the main road.

Rama is set to meet with officials of DPWH officials, City Traffic Operations and Management and Barangay Mambaling, and the contractors to discuss how they make the flyover available to the public at least at the start of classes. – (FREEMAN)