Let us all work together

CEBU, Philippines - I would like to thank the DPWH Region 7 led by Regional Director Pedro Herrera, Jr. and Cebu City District Engineer Nicomedes Leonor, Jr. for holding the public information forum on my projects for the construction of two (2) flyovers: (1) at the Junction of MJ Cuenco Ave. and Gen. Maxilom Ave., (2) at the Junction of Gorordo Ave. & Arch. Reyes Ave. at the estimated total cost of P600 Million, one half of which or P300 Million goes to road widening along both sides of the two (2) structures.

A flyover is nothing new to us in the North District, Cebu City. We have already 3 flyovers: (1) at the Banilad-AS Fortuna junction, (2) at the Arch. Reyes-J. Luna junction, (3) Arch. Reyes-NG Escario junction. The proposed construction of a new one never fails to elicit the same spirited discussions as the last one. The same discussions for and against are brought up once again.

For the record, let me emphasize the following points:

(1) 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. 

Everyone has personally experienced how much faster you can cross the corner where there is a flyover and still have bad memories of how much you suffered being stuck in traffic for an average of 15 minutes or more before you can cross. Not to mention causing your blood pressure to rise and temper to flare up which is really bad for your health.

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.

(2) Those who oppose the flyover now demand to widen the road first before placing the flyover. Road widening is also necessary but we need both the flyover and the road widening. As a matter of fact, construction of a flyover necessitates widening both sides along the structure. How I wish that together with the funding for the flyover that we also have the funding for the widening of the entire road. But the reality is that we cannot secure the huge amount required all at one time.

So while we exert efforts to secure funding for both the flyover and the road widening, unfortunately we only succeeded in getting funding for one after the other. So these circumstances compel us to implement the flyover if the amount appropriated is only for the flyover.

Proof that we have also worked for road widening is the funding we were able to secure for the widening of Banilad-Talamban road in the amount of P150 Million and P100 Million for the road widening of MJ Cuenco Ave. from the flyover towards Hipodromo-Mabolo. And if you add the P300 Million road widening along both sides of the two (2) flyovers, we have actually been able to secure a total of P500 Million for the road widening. I hope that you have not forgotten that it was my Dad, Rep. Raul del Mar, who first widened that Banilad Road.

(3) However, it must be stated that even if we have flyovers and road widening, still the traffic problem will not be entirely solved but only minimized. And to further minimize our traffic problems, we also need to open new access roads, a modern mass transit system, skywalks, etc. and good traffic management.

That is why I agree that we should update our master plan not only for our traffic and transportation but to include drainage and flood control as well. I intend to ask the assistance of DOTC Sec. Mar Roxas to help us in the preparation of the master plan.

For now let’s work together for the speedy implementation of these two (2) flyover projects for the welfare of the people of the City of Cebu. In closing, may I thank our friends in media and the private sector for favorably endorsing the flyover projects.

Special thanks to the Board of Directors of Association of Barangay Councils for their Resolution of Support for the flyovers which was joined by sixty-one (61) Barangay Captains who affixed their signatures thereto. May I also thank the following for the resolution supporting the flyovers:

(1) The Board of Directors of the Barangay Councilors League of the Philippines-Cebu City Chapter

(2) The Barangay Council of Carreta

(3) The Barangay Council of Kamputhaw

(4) The Barangay Council of Hipodromo

(5) The Barangay Council of Mabolo and

(6) The Barangay Council of Tejero

Thank you and may Señor Santo Niño continue to shower us with His blessings for good health and good fortune. (FREEMAN)