DPWH freezes Cebu City flyover projects

CEBU CITY, Philippines – The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has temporarily stopped the P600-million flyover projects proposed by Cebu City North District Rep. Rachel Marguerite del Mar.

In a memorandum dated Oct. 7, DPWH Undersecretary for Regional Operations Romeo Momo told DPWH-Region 7 to “hold in abeyance” the two flyover projects until the concerns of groups opposing these are resolved.

Momo cited the opposition to the flyovers planned to be built near the Asilo de la Milagrosa Church at the intersection of Gorordo Avenue and Archbishop Avenue, and near the Carreta cemetery at the M.J. Cuenco Avenue-General Maxilom intersection.

The two new flyovers were proposed by former congressman Raul del Mar.

Rep. Del Mar told The Freeman though that the DPWH’s move was in response to her earlier request that no work be started especially on the Gorordo flyover until after Nov. 28 as requested by Asilo de la Milagrosa.

DPWH Secretary Rogelio Singson is expected to be in Cebu next week to meet with the various stakeholders in the flyover projects.

Cebu City South District Rep. Tomas Osmeña, for his part, said he is unhappy about the DPWH’s move, but respects it.

“I’m not happy but let’s go through with the hearings. This is (Mayor Michael) Rama’s game of swiping Del Mar’s funding because he has not been resourceful at all,” Osmeña said in a text message.

DPWH Cebu City district engineer Nicomedes Leonor Jr., for his part, said they will respect the order but clarified that holding the projects in abeyance does not mean that these will no longer be implemented.

Leonor believes the projects will benefit the public as these will help minimize traffic congestion in the area.