Thursday, August 23, 2007 Groups urge Cebuanos to block flyover By Rene H. Martel Sun.Star Staff Reporter
BUSINESSMEN, homeowners and school representatives yesterday rallied Cebuanos to block the construction of a flyover at the Gov. Mariano Cuenco Ave.-A.S. Fortuna St., even as Cebu City Vice Mayor Michael Rama urged them to let their voices be heard.
Although he did not take a definitive stand on the issue, Rama said that the City Council has the power to stop the P150-million project.
He, however, said he cannot preempt the City Council members, who asked Rep. Raul del Mar (Cebu City, north) to give them until Aug. 31 to come up with alternative solutions to the Banilad-Talamban traffic woes, instead of the flyover.
“I will not be opposing or agreeing (to the construction, but) I believe that before Aug. 31, everybody will be happy, including the BTC (Banilad Town Center),” he told them during a forum yesterday afternoon.
He met with city councilors last night to discuss the problem, especially that they only have about a week left.
The gathering was meant to persuade del Mar to stop the project and realign the budget for the widening of Gov. Cuenco to a six-lane highway and “flare” the intersections of A.S. Fortuna and J. Panis St.
The congressman, though, did not show up as he reportedly had an important engagement in Manila.
Bunny Pages, who represented the business owners’ coalition in Banilad, appealed for Cebuanos to help them in their cause, as the issue is no longer about traffic or urban planning, but “on the future of the city.”
Another businessman, Dondi Joseph, also asked that the government adopt the “least disruptive solution.”
Mark Bretherton of the Cebu International School (CIS) likewise asked that the road be widened first instead of putting up a flyover.
And it would do them well if the widening is made from the Gorordo Ave. intersection up to Pit-os, he said. The CIS has relocated to Pit-os and classes are to start soon.
Representing the different homeowners’ associations, Maria Luisa Park Association Inc. president Linda Tuason appealed for del Mar to reconsider and cancel the construction.
Conditions
Although a project of the Department of Public Works and Highways 7, the project is partly funded by the congressman’s Priority Development Assistance Fund.
For his part, Cebu City Planning and Development Officer Nigel Paul Villarete said that although his office endorsed the project, he made it clear that the flyover could be built if the conditions he set are met.
The qualified endorsement set that there should be a modification of the J. Panis intersection leading to the Gaisano Country Mall, and creation of two left-turning lanes and two right-turning lanes at the A.S. Fortuna junction.
Villarete has said the DPWH should set up two box culverts on the Mahiga Bridge to create two more lanes and later lower the bridge.
In a public hearing at the City Council last July 25, he warned DPWH that unless his and the City Traffic Operations Manage-ment’s conditions are met, his office will not give the DPWH the necessary permit.
Rama also said that the council was even able to stop the DPWH from placing dividing grills in the middle of road in Barangay Luz, starting from the approach of the flyover.
Most of those present, too, hope that their opinions will matter, as shown by Mabolo residents who objected to the project originally proposed for Juan Luna Ave. at the Cardinal Rosales Ave. and F. Cabahug St. intersection.
