RDC 7 submits resolution against 2 flyovers to DPWH

WHILE Congress is discussing the National Budget for 2013, the Regional Development Council (RDC) 7 has submitted to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) a resolution opposing two proposed flyover projects.

RDC Resolution 11 is in line with the Cebu City Development Council’s Resolution 001-0615 not to endorse the two flyovers at the junction of Juan Luna and M.J. Cuenco Aves. and at the junction of Juan Luna and Cardinal Rosales Aves.

Under the law, the RDC shall only endorse projects if these are first endorsed by the city or municipal development council of a Local Government Unit (LGU) concerned.

The proposed Juan Luna-M.J. Cuenco flyover will cost P230 million while that on Juan-Cardinal Rosales will cost P200 million. These were supposed to be included in the 2013 National Budget for the Cebu City Engineering District.

DPWH officials refused to confirm whether the proposed budgets for the two flyovers are the same budgets offered by Rep. Tomas Osmeña (Cebu City, South) to Rep. Eduardo R. Gullas (Cebu, first district).

Osmeña’s offer to Gullas was perceived by some quarters as one way of convincing the first district congressman to support the candidacy of lawyer Hilario “Junjun” Davide III for governor and of Cebu City Councilor Yayoy Alcoseva for board member. Alcoseba hails from Sibonga town.

Alcoseba, a close political ally of Osmeña, apparently has started campaigning for board member in the first district of Cebu, as he has posters in the cities of Talisay, Naga and Carcar and the towns of Minglanilla, San Fernando and Sibonga.

Earlier, businessman Joel Lee of the Movement for Livable Cebu said they opposed the construction of more flyovers because these offer only a temporary solution to the traffic problem and are eyesores in the city, which is promoting itself as a tourist destination.

Lee and his group recommended the widening of busy major thoroughfares instead of constructing flyovers.

With the Cebu City Development Council’s decision, Fr. Margarito Alingasa, the private sector representative to the RDC, moved to bring the matter to the attention of the RDC Full Council, which passed Resolution 11 against the two flyovers.

The resolution, which was sent to DPWH, was certified correct by National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) 7 Assistant Director Efren Carreon, the RDC secretary, attested by Neda 7 Director Buenaventura Go-Soco Jr., the RDC vice chairperson, and approved by Rama, the RDC chairperson.

Emmanuel Rabacal, the chairperson of the RDC’s Infrastracture Development Committee said that except for the P430 million proposed budgets for two flyovers, there is no proposed P400 million for first district projects that were submitted to his committee for endorsement.