Wednesday, October 11, 2006 Nuns, residents oppose plan to build underpass in Mabolo
CARMELITE nuns, residents and owners of establishments in Mabolo, Cebu City yesterday rejected the proposal to build an underpass instead of a flyover along Juan Luna Ave.
Rep. Raul del Mar, after last August’s meeting with President Arroyo at the Carmelite Monastery, had said that the nuns and the residents already agreed to the underpass, after objecting to the flyover that was proposed last March.
But yesterday, they told Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) 7 officers that that they don’t want the project. The DPWH held a briefing on the proposal.
The people insisted that whether it is a flyover or an underpass, the structure should rise along Cardinal Rosales Ave., intersecting Juan Luna Ave. towards F. Cabahug St.
DPWH already ruled out an underpass along Cardinal Rosales and F. Cabahug because of additional cost for road right-of-way acquisition.
Reverend Mother Aimee said that during the meeting with Arroyo, they agreed to cooperate because they were told that Juan Luna Ave., with its flame tree-lined island, would not be disturbed.
But the project perspective presented yesterday showed that the island will be removed.
She is also concerned because the proposed parking space “exposes people to danger,” and it would be on their conscience if something happens because they were the reason why Arroyo scrapped the proposed flyover and agreed to an underpass.
According to the briefing, vehicles from the North Reclamation Area could not turn left to the monastery.
The underpass will also be from across the Seminario Mayor de San Carlos up to Arca St., adjacent to a gas station beside the monastery.
The residents wondered why del Mar was not around yesterday when he is directly involved with the project.
“Is he afraid to face us?” one asked engineer Luis Galang and his companions.
The absence of a jeepney stop was also raised.
Galang promised he will present the concerns to DPWH 7 Director Robert Lala.
DPWH engineer Leah Negre also said that they are not in the position to decide on anything. It would be up to Arroyo to decide whether the underpass would push through.
The Carmelite nuns, residents and establishment owners agreed to write Arroyo and state their objections to a flyover or an underpass.
They will furnish copies of their letter to del Mar and DPWH Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane.
If the project would not push through, money for the undertaking will revert to the National Government’s general funds by end of the year. (RHM)
