Rama wants post removed

CEBU, Philippines - Mayor Michael Rama is giving an ultimatum to the Visayan Electric Company (Veco) and other utility firms to remove their lines and posts on the widened Escario Street so these will not obstruct traffic.

Rama said he is already fed up because these utility firms like telephone and cable companies continue to disregard the repeated requests of the city government to remove their lines.

Ethel Natera, Veco’s corporate public affairs manager, said they already coordinated with the utility firms whose wires are attached to their poles.

“We already conducted a survey. We are coordinating with other utilities for the scheduling of the work. We need to work on it together as we cannot just leave their lines on the ground after we remove our poles,” Natera said.

Natera admitted they could not commit that they can meet the mayor’s deadline.

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), through a private contractor, has paved and widened part of Escario St. across the Golden Peak Hotel.

However, it remains a one-way road because of the poles that obstruct traffic flow.

The DPWH spent about P100 million for road-right-of-way when it implemented the widening project of Escario St. from the corner Gorordo Avenue up to Archbishop Reyes Avenue.

Once these posts are removed, vehicles coming from Archbishop Reyes Ave. can go straight to Capitol area.

At present, Capitol-bound motorists from the Archbishop Reyes Ave. have to proceed to Rosal Street before going back to Escario St.

Rama also want Veco and other utility firms to remove their posts on M. Velez Street, which was recently widened by DPWH.  (FREEMAN)