Opposition won't stop flyover projects

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu City North District Rep. Rachel Marguerite “Cutie” del Mar remains steadfast to make her two flyover projects a reality despite the strong opposition from some businessmen and other sectors, including Mayor Michael Rama.

Del Mar said she will not buckle down until the construction of a two-lane flyover at the seven-lane cross intersection of M. J. Cuenco and Gen. Maxilom Avenues and another four-lane at the intersection of Gorordo and Archbishop Reyes Avenues are finished.

Del Mar, who was in the fighting mood, yesterday admitted that there are “only selected groups” in the city that want her to stop the project. But, according to her, the groups did not have sufficient basis to justify their objections.

“Naglibog ko kung nganong against sila nga traffic man kaayo dihang dapita. We just want to decongest the traffic in that area,” del Mar said.

Although she agreed that the flyovers will not totally solve the traffic congestion but it will help open lessen the traffic problem.

Del Mar said the project must proceed because the P600 million funds is already available. P150 million of the total allocation will be spent for the structure itself while the remaining half is set aside for the acquisition of road right of way to widen both sides of the two flyovers.

Del Mar denied insinuations that she is pushing for the projects because of the commission that she would get.

“Naay miingon nga gusto mi kay naa daw SOP, naa daw mi commission nga madawat ana. Never in the history of del Mar that we receive SOP. We never get any kay ang amoa mao ra gyud ang serbisyo del Mar,” del Mar said.

Del Mar said that if they did, they would not have been in Congress, which her father has been serving for more than 18 years. — (FREEMAN)