Friday, August 31, 2007 Completed, says Rama, but still no Council stand
VICE Mayor Michael Rama wrapped up yesterday his consultations with various sectors in northern Cebu City that are concerned about the proposed Banilad-Talamban flyover.
Although he is ready with the report he will present to the city councilors this Wednesday, he declined from discussing his personal stand on whether the construction should push through.
Rama met with representatives of utility companies, business establishments that stand to be affected by the construction and other agencies yesterday to discuss their interventions on traffic management in the Banilad area.
“That was my last meeting with the group. Maybe they have expectations from the council so I called the meeting to tell them that by Wednesday, I will be reporting what we have done during the 30 days that we asked for,” he told Sun.Star Cebu.
Through Mayor Tomas Osmeña, the City Council asked North District Rep. Raul del Mar last Aug. 2 to give them 30 days to evaluate the impact of the proposed flyover on traffic on Gov. Cuenco Ave.
Del Mar has proposed a P150-million flyover across the Foodland Complex and A.S. Fortuna St.
Rama said he will present the report to the councilors to apprise them of the traffic situation and the sentiments of the various sectors.
“The report is also for the council so they will know what we have done in the last 30 days, so they can be guided during the deliberations,” he said.
During their regular session on Wednesday, the councilors are expected to say whether they are for or against the flyover.
The mayor earlier said he will cancel the projects of the councilors if they endorse the cancellation of the construction.
Reacting to a businessman’s statement that the flyover issue will put the council’s independence to the test, Rama said it will be unfair to use the debate on the flyover as the only gauge of their performance.
“It’s not fair to say that the council’s independence rests on this issue. I have been repeatedly saying that our independence has already been proven in the past through various issues,” he said in a phone interview.
In the days leading to the Sept. 5 council session, businessman Bunny Pages said their group will gather signatures of commuters, school owners, institutions, organizations, residents and businessmen in a petition seeking to stop the construction of the flyover.
While they are vocal against the flyover, Pages said their group decided not to attend the session so as not to be perceived as exerting unnecessary pressure on the councilors.
“But we will be coming up with the petition from a broad spectrum of sectors in the community who are against it,” he added. (LCR)
