Wednesday, August 29, 2007 Tomas threatens Council: OK flyover or else ... By Linette C. Ramos Sun.Star Staff Reporter
MAYOR Tomas Os-meña yesterday threatened to stop projects of the councilors if the council endorses the cancellation of the proposed Banilad-Talamban flyover, a move that could be perceived as pressure on the Cebu City Council.
Osmeña said he will be forced to cancel the council’s projects since funds for these will have to be realigned to fund the road widening, if that is the option the councilors will take.
“I’m not going to look for P100 million just to make a few businessmen happy. If we’re going to find the money for that, other projects will suffer of course,” Osmeña said in his news conference.
For him, the council should exercise political will even if their decision will not be popular among a few businessmen opposing the P150-million flyover.
He believes the councilors and Vice Mayor Michael Rama are under heavy pressure from the businessmen and residents of the Banilad and Talamban areas to cancel the flyover.
“He (Rama) is a proponent for the cancellation of the project. That is my reading; very clear signals there,” Osmeña said. The mayor’s warning goes out to all members of the City Council.
In an interview at his office, Rama said the council merely asked for time to evaluate the flyover construction and its impact on traffic in the area.
“Wala na lang tingali nay labot ang projects sa council. I hope he didn’t say that kay bati sad na. Dili man na ma-connect ang duha ka issue, ang projects sa council ug ang flyover because the latter is a National Government project,” he said in reaction to the mayor’s statements.
The council plans to address the matter on Sept. 5, but Rama declined from commenting further on the issue. He said it will be up to the councilors to endorse or oppose the project. He can only vote to break a tie.
“Next Wednesday, we will have to address the matter once and for all. It has to be put to rest because the issue on traffic can’t be hanging forever,” he said.
One councilor, who asked not be named, said they will be asked individually to explain their stand.
North district Councilors Sylvan Jakosalem, Hilario Davide III and Edgardo Labella would not disclose their personal stand on the matter yet so as not to preempt the council’s decision on Sept. 5.
Rama, Labella and Jakosalem said in separate interviews that they don’t feel any pressure from any sector but are taking their time to study the proposed flyover and come up with rerouting and traffic management plans when the construction starts.
Jakosalem was the first to bring up the sentiments of the residents to the council. He is expected to deliver a privilege speech in the next regular session.
Osmeña also reminded the council that they are not the City Government and that they can’t pass an ordinance to stop the project.
“The council is a legislative body. They can’t legislate without the approval of one person, who is seated on this chair,” he said.
Businessman Bunny Pages, spokesman of the residents and businessmen, said they will bring the matter to the President’s attention if they fail to get the local officials’ support to stop the project.
Business groups from Banilad and Talamban paid urban planning expert Dr. Primitivo Cal some P95,000 to undertake a traffic engineering study in the Banilad area.
They pushed for the implementation of the findings of the study, which highlighted the need for the widening of roads, construction of parallel roads and bridges and the flaring of intersections, instead of the construction of a two-lane flyover.
“No one from the council guaranteed us that the flyover can be cancelled. We just want the council to work together as a team. We’re just doing our best to make the public officials open their eyes to the merits of our case. The opposition is overwhelming,” Pages said, adding that there are 10 subdivisions opposing the project.
Osmeña will not stop the residents and businessmen from seeking the President’s help, adding that they can also go to the Pope if they want.
He said city officials should listen to all sectors but will also have to make a decision on the matter.
And between a few businessmen who have interests over a three-hectare property and residents of some 15,000-hectares of land in eight other northern barangays, he will choose what will be good for the majority.
