Council backs request to limit road widening

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu City Council is supporting the request of Tejero barangay officials that the road widening set to be implemented along Uldarico Alviola and Sampaguita streets shall not be over seven meters wide.

Tejero officials earlier came up with a resolution requesting Mayor Michael Rama to limit the width of the proposed road from 10 meters to only seven, including the sidewalk and gutters.

Since the resolution of the Tejero barangay officials was originally sent to the Mayor’s Office, the City Council only supported the stand of the barangay officials and assured that they will help if their services are needed.

Until now Rama refused to say whether or not he will grant the request of the concerned residents seen to be affected by the road widening project.

Tejero Barangay Captain Jessielou Cadungog and the members of the barangay council were just promised by the mayor that the families that will be affected by the road widening will be given P10,000.

Rama decided to widen the existing narrow road toward the interior portion of the barangay so that fire trucks can easily pass through when responding to fires.

During the latest fire in the area last Aug. 17, where 120 houses were destroyed, the mayor said he personally witnessed that fire trucks had difficulty penetrating the interior portions because of structures that already encroached into the road lots.

The barangay officials are afraid that many of their constituents will be displaced once Rama pushes through with his plan despite their strong opposition.(FREEMAN)