More groups oppose flyovers; mayor to raise issue to PNoy

Tuesday, August 30, 2011

CEBU City Michael Rama intends to inform President Benigno Aquino III about the opposition to future flyover projects by some residents.

This, as environmentalists joined businessmen and residents in the campaign against additional flyovers in Cebu City.

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As these developed, about a thousand motorists and commuters—including students and homeowners’ groups—filed a petition before Cebu City Hall, asking the City Government not to issue permits to proposed developments along the Banilad-Talamban corridor.

Rama said he observed that more people opposed the construction of more flyovers during a public information forum on the infrastructure projects.

“The President should be aware that there are a lot of sectors that do not want it,” he said. He added that he will write a letter to President Aquino tomorrow and point out that residents see a bigger need to widen roads.

Rama said, though, he is not against the construction of flyovers or skywalk but he also believes that roads must be widened first.

Proposal

Rep. Cutie del Mar (Cebu City, north district) has appropriated about P600 million for two additional flyovers in the city.

Flyovers are being proposed at the intersection of M.J. Cuenco Ave. and Gen. Maxilom Ave., and at the Gorordo Ave.-Archbishop Reyes St. to decongest traffic in the areas.

Rama also said he will write to Public Works and Highways Secretary Rogelio Singson.

Vice Mayor Joy Augustus Young, who also acts as presiding officer of the City Council, said the legislative body supports the construction of addition flyovers.

Sentiments

He earlier said it would be a waste if funds for new flyovers would not be used.

Rama said, though, City Hall should consider the sentiments of the people.

Young said he welcomes the move of the mayor to bring the matter to Malacañang.

He said the city’s legislators would be able to explain their support for the proposed flyovers if Aquino calls them.

He said barangay captains even signed a manifesto supporting the construction of the flyovers.

Last month, the Banilad–Talamban Traffic Task Force headed by Rama passed a resolution against the building of more flyovers in the city.

Campaign

A network of environmental groups—the Road Revolution program, led by lawyer Tara Rama of the Law of Nature Foundation Inc.; 350.org country director Vince Cinches; and architect Joy Onozawa—said it plans to launch a campaign against flyovers.

Onozawa said flyovers benefit only those who own motorized vehicles, which cause traffic congestion.

Noting that only five percent of Cebuanos own cars, Onozowa said roads should be made for pedestrians, commuters and motorists.

“A road made for people and for cars is the one (transport scheme) that works. Seventy percent of the road should be made for people,” she added.

Instead of flyovers, existing roads should be widened and sidewalks should be constructed, she said.

Founders of the Road Revolution program stressed the need for bicycle lanes and pedestrian paths.

Biased

Cinches said flyovers are biased for transport systems that are “very pollutive.” He added that his group will look into the proposal to build flyovers in M.J. Cuenco and Gorordo avenues.

The Local Government Code provides that 1,000 residents in cities can submit a petition to the local council and propose legislation.

Tara Rama said the signatures that would be collected would be sent to Congress and to Malacañang.

The movement opposing new developments in the Banilad-Talamban corridor, however, is a step ahead in gaining 1,000 signatures.

Traffic

Although the petition refers to developments in general terms, City Hall sources noted that the Ciudad project of the Capitol and Fifth Avenue Property Development Corp. could be among the targets of the movement.

The petitioners said City Hall should first solve traffic-related problems in the Banilad-Talamban corridor before allowing new developments in the area.

They said traffic jams in the Banilad-Talamban corridor has caused them to be late for work, school and other appointments that have resulted in lost income and opportunities, and disciplinary action against them.

In their petition letter, signatories also asked the City to conduct consultations with stakeholders gain residents’ insights on issues like traffic, flooding, garbage, drainage and air quality.

The movement’s petition letter had been submitted to the City Council.