North Recla road projects complete by September

CEBU, Philippines - Close to P100 million worth of concreting and asphalting projects in all streets at the North Reclamation Area is targeted for completion by the end of September.

Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama yesterday inspected J. De Vera St., Jose L. Briones St. and Third Avenue where concreting projects are ongoing.

Rama also inspected road links that are mostly occupied by informal settlers. He earlier ordered the Squatters Prevention and Encroachment Elimination Division to clear the NRA of informal settlers.

SPEED Chief Noel Artes said that quite a number have voluntarily left but there are more than 30 shanties due for clearing at the Basilan road linking J. De Vera and A. Soriano St.

Two days ago, there are over 60 shanties, cleared along J. De Vera after a private property owner already paid them to voluntarily leave, built their properties along the road.

During the mayor’s inspection yesterday, he ordered Artes to take care of the remaining shanties especially those encroaching on the road and the sidewalks.

Artes said that the families have been referred to the Division for Welfare of the Urban Poor (DWUP) for assistance in the relocation.

SPEED has also cleared the roads of vendors.

The implementation of concreting projects in the NRA started in 2007. After Rama took over, he poured almost P100 million to fix all roads, including road links.

City Engineer Kenneth Enriquez said that all concreting projects at the NRA are scheduled for completion on September. Interior roads will be asphalted.

“The Parks and Playground Commission will soon start beautifying the center islands. For the lights, we have put in-charge VECO and the Department of Public Services,” Enriquez said.

The concreting of roads includes the restoration of the sidewalks and the construction of drainage system so there are private establishments whose structures encroached on the sidewalk that were ordered to set back.

Department of Public Services Head Engineer Dionisio Gualiza said that the beautification of the center island will soon start. A private individual offered to donate materials to beautify the center islands.

They have also started cleaning areas that were turned into a dumpsite.

Rama requested a meeting with the City Traffic Operations Management to discuss future policies about heavy duty and cargo trucks passing the reclamation area. Rama feared that passing and parking trucks may damage the roads quickly.

CITOM has already limited parking along the NRA roads that creates obstructions.

“Nagpasalamat gyud mi sa mayor kay nindot na kaayo ang kalsada, wala na kaayo’y squatters,” said Carreta barangay captain Eduardo Lauron. (We are thankful that the mayor has cleared the streets of obstructions.)

But Mabolo barangay Captain Rey Ompoc complained that informal settlers have started building illegal structures at the back of a wholesale mall near Mahiga creek. He suspects these people came from the NRA.

“Mao diay nahawan diri kay tua sila didto nibalhin,” Ompoc said. (They cleared one place only for the illegal settlers to transfer to other places.)

Rama ordered Artes to look into the complaint of new illegal structures built in Mabolo. (FREEMAN)