Rama opposes undersea tunnel idea

Monday, February 13, 2012

ASIDE from businessmen and technical experts, Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama is also opposing the undersea tunnel proposed by Rep. Cutie del Mar (Cebu City, north district) through House Bill 192.

The proposal, which is now pending before the committee on public works and highways, provides for the construction of an undersea tunnel from Cebu City to Cordova and a coastal road to Lapu-Lapu City.

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Rama said he prefers to have a third bridge that connects mainland Cebu to Mactan island than an expensive undersea tunnel.

Rep. Tomas Osmeña (Cebu City, south district), for his part, said he is not also in favor of the proposal because he finds it “unnecessary for now.”

But the congressman foresees that Cebuanos will definitely need the proposed undersea tunnel in the future.

Osmeña, who is at odds with Rama, suggests a ro-ro port near the Malacañang sa Sugbu and Shell Island in Cordova than a third bridge or a submarine tunnel.

Vision

The undersea tunnel was envisioned by former congressman Raul del Mar during the 13th Congress, but revived by his daughter in the 15th Congress.

It is planned to span 500 meters, but no other details were given as to the estimated project cost and other specifications.

The del Mars believe the submarine tunnel will ease traffic on land and will provide an alternative route between Cebu City and other areas.

They became controversial figures last year, though, because of their strong stance in pushing for the two proposed flyover projects in the City, which were heavily opposed by the mayor, religious group, business leaders and urban planners.

The proposed construction of the two additional flyovers, which will be supposedly built on M.J. Cuenco and Gorordo Avenues, was ordered stopped by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) late last year.

Changes

Rama, however, refused to comment if he will go to the same extent in opposing the flyover projects if the undersea tunnel proposal will be implemented.

“Layo pa kaayo na sa tinuod, wala pa gani nay study, maparehas unya ana sa flyover, patun-i usa na nila (That’s still far-fetched, it doesn’t have a study yet, it might turn out like the flyover, let them study it),” Rama said.

Rama was very vocal against the construction of an additional overpass in the City unless roads are widened first and he even brought his concern to President Benigno Simeon “Noynoy” Aquino III.      

The mayor believes a third bridge is more feasible and inexpensive, with lesser risk than traveling in a submarine tunnel.

But former congressman del Mar, earlier, said that building another bridge linking mainland Cebu and Cordova island is no longer doable as it will close the sea lane or the Mactan channel.

Rep. Osmeña said it is not possible to build a bridge in the South Road Properties (SRP) to Cordova because it would have to start at Colon or somewhere else where lots of businesses will be affected.

He clarified a ro-ro port is more practical and less expensive, though, it needs a construction of a road first in the Cordova side.

“Ro-ro is good enough, dali ra kaayo na, pantalan lang ang kinahanglan nato and the road in the Cordova side (that’s easy, we only need a pier),” Osmeña said.

To recall, businessmen and technical experts who shared their ideas in the Sustainable City Dialogues 2012 last week didn’t agree with some projects that they said weren’t backed by proper planning such as the undersea tunnel.