DPWH road projects a waste and unnecessary - Rama

CEBU, Philippines - For Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama, changing asphalt roads to concrete is a waste, which is what the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is doing in six of the city’s busy streets.

The DPWH-7 will be implementing concreting projects on Guadalupe Road, Tupas St. in barangay San Nicolas, M. Velez St., Katipunan St., V. Rama Avenue and Tres de Abril St.

Earlier, Rama formally informed DPWH of his opposition to these projects through a letter to DPWH-7 OIC Director Ador G. Canlas. He had stated that the asphalt in these streets are still of excellent quality so the projects are not necessary.

Rama aired his sentiments during the first stakeholders’ consultation on the said projects yesterday at the Sinulog Hall of the Cebu City Public Library, which was also attended by officials of the barangays that will be affected.

Rama, DPWH officials and City Traffic Operations Management (Citom) personnel conducted an inspection on these roads last July 25. Rama said they found out that the road concreting projects are not necessary now and will just be a waste of public funds.

The same sentiments were also aired by barangay captains Rogelio Resurreccion of Suba, Jocelyn Almacen of Pasil and Benjamin Zabate of Sawang Calero.

They suggest to realign the budget for the concreting to the construction of drainage systems in their respective barangays, which will be more helpful to their place.

Rama urged DPWH to instead direct its attention to the dilapidated and pothole-ridden Serging Osmeña Ave., Cabahug St., M. J. Cuenco Ave., Sanciangko St. and the ongoing widening projects at M. Velez.

Valle said he will tell the top management on the different sentiments of the people and the mayor.

Rama said that DPWH did not coordinate with the city before the projects were bid out and awarded and he was surprised when DPWH went to his office informing him about the implementation that has already a “Notice To Proceed”, which is dated July 27.

The congestion that will be generated by the projects if all will be simultaneously implemented is one of the major concerns of the city since it will take more than six months to complete.

The said road concreting projects will be funded from the realigned budget supposedly for the flyover on Salinas – Gorordo junctions. This flyover project was supposed to be implemented this year but due to opposition from some civic groups, it was deferred. — (FREEMAN)