Construction of 2 flyovers to push through

CEBU, Philippines - The public works department is apparently refusing to heed the strong opposition from the city’s local chief executive and business leaders as it announced it will go ahead with the P600-million flyover projects.

Heads of business chambers had earlier joined Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama in saying that widening of roads, and not building flyovers at the General Maxilom–M.J. Cuenco Avenues and at the Gorordo-Archbishop Reyes Avenues, is the best way to go at this time.

But officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) announced the projects would continue. Cebu City North District Rep. Rachel “Cutie” del Mar is pushing for the undertaking, backed by Vice Mayor Joy Augustus Young and Cebu City Councilor Margot Osmeña.

Del Mar also said the board of directors of the Association of Barangay Councils is supporting the flyovers, as well as 61 barangay captains.

Del Mar admitted that even with the flyovers and widening of roads, the traffic problem will not be solved entirely but only minimized. This is why she is advocating for an update of the city’s masterplan not only for traffic and transportation but also on drainage and flood control.

Businessman Bunny Pages, who had also led a group in opposing the construction of the Banilad flyover project three years ago, was most vocal in yesterday’s forum where DPWH formally announced the implementation of the projects.

“You better think twice before implementing the project,” said Efren Valiente, former president of the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Pages suggested for DPWH to postpone the implementation of the projects and hire experts to make a study.

All those who opposed the construction insisted that the government should first widen the roads because traffic congestion would not be solved by merely constructing the flyovers.

Del Mar explained that of the P600-million budget for the project, only P300 million is for the two flyover structures while the rest would be used to widen the roads, particularly at the vicinity of the vehicles’ overpass.

“The usefulness of a flyover has already been proven by the existing flyovers where you can see for yourself how they have greatly helped decongest the junctions where these have been constructed,” Del Mar said in her speech.

“It takes just plain common sense to know that crossing a corner is much faster when both directions can cross simultaneously rather than having one direction wait for its turn as the other direction is crossing,” she added.

Mario Montejo, head of the DPWH Planning department, explained that there will be two lanes on each side of the flyovers, meaning there will be a widening of roads as insisted by those who oppose the project.

Vice Mayor Joy Augustus Young and Councilor Margot Osmeña also attended the event yesterday and both showed support for the projects.

DPWH District Engr. Nicomedes Leonor said that aside from the P600 million for the two flyovers, the DPWH Central Office assured that more budget for road widening would be allocated for M.J. Cuenco Avenue, particularly along Hipodromo going to Mabolo.

Former congressman Raul del Mar, who first secured part of the budget during his term, agreed that road widening is also necessary but explained that we also need the flyovers.

CITOM Executive Director Rafael Christopher Yap supported the stand of Mayor Michael Rama that the widening of roads should be prioritized.

Journalist Valeriano “Bobit” Avila said it was CITOM during his stint as chairman in 2001 that requested for the construction of flyover projects in Carreta and in Gorordo Avenue, but the funding has been delayed for years.

The bidding will be done in Manila. — /JPM (FREEMAN)