Villars urged: Give way to traffic flow

Three E’s – enforcement, education, engineering – make traffic flow. Land transport and Mega Manila offices are in charge of the first two. Rail and highways agencies handle the third. Law, public and infra-systems must hew together. Failure in one E cripples the others.

Flop is typified in Daang Hari, the main road to and from thickly populated Cavite and Metro Manila. On both sides of the boundary, traffic aides and commuters strive each day to ease each other’s burden. But it simply won't work, since a flyover is needed as traffic solution.

Long-time Cavite governor and congressman Ayong Maliksi, now retired, lends a hand. His Apr. 4, 2017 letter to “Dear Compadre,” real estate magnate and ex-Senate President Manny Villar, can unclog the mess. Excerpted:

“Although I am no longer in government service, Caviteños still come to me to ventilate concerns and ask for help. One of the pressing problems they have brought up is worsening daily traffic along Daang Hari. I feel obliged to help them, as I experience this problem often.

“I write you not only because something has to be done, but also out of concern because the complaining residents point to you and your family as responsible for stopping what many perceive to be a solution.

“As you are aware, to alleviate the worsening traffic along Daang Hari, two flyovers are supposed to be constructed going towards and coming from Muntinlupa-Cavite Expressway (MCX).

“The first flyover at the intersection of Daang Hari and Aguinaldo Highway in Imus City, Cavite, is now underway. However, construction of the second flyover at the intersection of Daang Hari and Molino Road in Bacoor City, Cavite, has been put on hold by the DPWH.

“Congress, through R.A. 10717 (General Appropriations Act 2016) has long provided funds for the construction of the two flyovers. Many are wondering why DPWH put on hold the construction of the second flyover, while the first is already ongoing.

“The two flyovers – on Daang Hari intersecting Aguinaldo Highway in Imus, and Molino Road in Bacoor – are designed to complement each other. Absence of one adversely will affect the other. It cannot be explained why construction of one can proceed, while the other cannot.

“The affected residents opine that the presence of your family’s Starmall at the corner of Daang Hari and Molino Road is the reason why the construction of the second flyover was put on hold. They believe the construction of the flyover will divert vehicular and foot traffic away from Starmall and adversely affect the business establishments there, and thus it has to be stopped. Sadly, it has affected Sec. Mark Villar who, they claim, used his position as DPWH Secretary to stop the construction of the second flyover to protect your family business interest.

“The residents brought documents and photographs showing that the original design and alignment of the Muntinlupa-Cavite Expressway was changed and diverted to favor your family’s Vista City development, particularly Evia Lifestyle Center. The documents and photographs show that the original design of the MCX provided for a straight alignment with an underground tunnel bypassing Evia Lifestyle Center. However, the altered design shows an alignment much longer than the original since it would go around and pass three large tracts of vacant land owned by your family and Evia Lifestyle Center. Such change in alignment not only benefits the three big tracts of land. I am sorry to mention that the residents also say that what happened at the MCX is no different from what happened to C-5 Road in the past.

“The residents also brought documents and photographs showing what they claim to be violations of the National Building Code in the construction of Evia Lifestyle Center, including non-compliance with the setback requirements for properties adjoining a river, and construction of a private road within the river easement.

“I had to dissuade the residents from pursuing criminal complaints against your family, including your son, DPWH Sec. Mark Villar. I told them that if this matter is first brought to your attention, you might be able to assure them that your family did not and will not do anything to stop or delay the construction of the second flyover at the intersection of Daang Hari and Molino Road.

“Considering the closeness of our families, I do not want to just sit idly while people try to tarnish your reputation and political future when I am in a position to do something about it. I told the complaining residents to give you and your family the benefit of the doubt while I will do my best to thresh this matter out with you.”

Maliksi has yet to receive a reply from the Villars.

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