"Fair" implementation of road widening assured

CEBU, Philippines - The government will be fair in implementing the road widening project along M.J. Cuenco Avenue from near the boundary of Barangay Hipodromo to C. Mina Street in Barangay Mabolo in connection with the construction of a flyover project.

This would mean, according to Cebu City North District Rep. Rachel “Cutie” Del Mar who made the assurance, that they will deal with lot owners of both sides of the road and not just one side.

Cutie and and her father, former congressman Raul Del Mar, held a meeting with the lot owners whose properties will be affected by the road widening project. Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Cebu City District Engineer Nicomedes Leonor was also present during the dialog that was made in one of the houses in the area.

Leonor said that national roads, such as M.J. Cuenco Avenue, is usually at least 20 meters wide but right now M. J. Cuenco Avenue is only about 12 meters.

The elder Del Mar explained that if there is a need to widen the 12-meter road by eight meters more, each side of the road will be widened by four meters.

“Ang pagsukod sa karsada anha manukad sa kinatung-an paingon sa daplin aron pareho gayud ang gidak-on sa maiban nga yuta sa maapektahan sa road widening project,” Del Mar said. (Measurement will start from the middle of the road.)

Del Mar said the DPWH-7 will soon conduct a survey to determine the actual size of lots that will be affected per owner. The road widening project is necessary before the construction of a P150-million flyover along M.J. Cuenco and General Maxilom Avenues.

According to Del Mar, the DPWH had assured that they will try their best so that the old residential houses and other structures will not be affected, but if it would be necessary, it should not cause major damage.

The former congressman said that the DPWH also assures to restore the concrete fences of residential lots if there is a need to move back their premises.

Lot owner Richard Ramos, whose lot in Barangay Mabolo would be among the affected lots, said there will be another consultation between them and the government representatives to discuss the matter.– (FREEMAN)