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Saturday, September 18, 2004
RDC body fears tunnel to remain a ‘pipe dream’
By Charmaine Y. Rodriguez
Sun.Star Staff Reporter
THE national fiscal crisis forced the infrastructure development committee (IDC) of the Regional Development Council (RDC) 7 to endorse “with reservations” the P2.53-billion tunnel component of the Cebu South Coastal Road Project.
Victoria Corpuz of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) presented in the IDC meeting yesterday the details and perspectives of the project that will be in place under the Plaza Independencia and Mc-Arthur Blvd. in Cebu City by 2008.
Although the RDC 7 already endorsed the project in March 2002, DPWH 7 Director Juanito Abergas told the IDC it needs to make another endorsement for additional funding since the project cost has increased with depreciation of the peso against the dollar and the yen.
But RDC private sector representative Valeriano “Bobit” Avila said that since the present economic situation calls for austerity, DPWH should consider holding in abeyance the implementation of the project.
Dream
“At this time, prudence dictates this. A tunnel is a dream. I would love to have a tunnel in Cebu.
Last year, it would have been alright but right now, we know this nation needs money,” Avila told the body.
IDC chairman Emma-nuel Rabacal also questioned the need for an endorsement when the project cannot be implemented unless the government’s local counterpart of P868 million will be available.
Corpuz pointed out that Malacañang already “favorably endorsed” the project to DPWH.
Malacañang’s endorsement, though, means government, through the DPWH, will have to pay a local counterpart representing one-third of the project cost.
Corpuz said DPWH already “made commitments” to shoulder the counterpart fund in its budget.
Cost analysis
In the project proposal, civil works will cost P1.6 billion, P193 million of which will go to consultants.
Corpuz said the department made a cost analysis and agreed with the budget for consultancy as the project is a complex one.
Upon Rabacal’s inquiry, Corpuz confirmed that Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña wrote Malacañang and strongly recommended the project.
The mayor stressed, though, that unlike the South Reclamation Project, the Cebu City Government will not put up the counterpart for the tunnel.
“It’s a luxury we cannot afford. It’s a luxury that should be hold in abeyance,” Avila, a known Osmeña ally, reiterated.
Avila moved to endorse the project to the RDC 7 full council, but cautioned on the need for prudence.
(September 18, 2004 issue)
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