Wednesday, September 05, 2007 Rama to Council: decide independently on issue
IN their regular session today, Cebu City Council members will vote on whether or not they should endorse the construction of a flyover at the Gov. Mariano Cuenco Ave. and A.S. Fortuna St. junction in Barangay Banilad.
Vice Mayor Michael Rama, the presiding officer, said he will not dictate how the councilors should vote. He believes they will decide independently and will not let pressure from any sector influence them.
“We cannot stop the councilors from making their own decision and we cannot scare or force them into endorsing or rejecting the project,” he said.
Rama also believes the heat is more on the city councilors, as he would be involved only when there is a need to break a tie.
Report
Before deliberating on the matter, Rama will first make a report on what they have done during the 30-day period they asked from Rep. Raul del Mar (Cebu City, north), the proponent of the project.
The council earlier asked to be given 30 days to come up with alternative solutions to the Banilad-Talamban traffic problems.
After giving his report, Rama said each councilor would be asked to defend his or her vote.
“They will be judged by their yes or no vote. So they should be able to give their justifications and it’s important that they know how to answer if questions will be raised,” the vice mayor said.
For his part, Councilor Sylvan Jakosalem said there is a possibility that the council will still not come up with a stand on the proposed Banilad flyover because “they are not traffic experts.”
He said the best body to make the decision is the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), which is implementing the project.
Jakosalem said the minutes of the public hearing held last month was already transmitted to the Office of the President and the DPWH central office.
“After all, the open letter already stated that a copy is furnished to PGMA (President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo), DPWH, and Congressman del Mar,” he said.
The P150-million flyover is partly funded by del Mar’s Priority Development Assistance Fund.
Businessmen, schools, homeowners’ associations and even citizens’ groups have opposed the flyover and came up with an open letter published in local dailies last Monday.
They argued that road widening is the better traffic solution because even with the flyover, there would still be a bottleneck at the Gov. Cuenco and J.Panis St. junction at the Mahiga bridge just a few meters away.
“The flyover already has the approval and go signal of the National Government, including the President. If there is a decision to stop it because of the protests, it can only be made from the top,” Jakosalem said.
“Just like its (flyover) transfer from Juan Luna (St. in Barangay Mabolo) to Banilad, which the council and residents of Banilad and Talamban suggested last year and which the Banilad barangay council asked for, I guess, if it has to go there, the final say will be from the National Government, from the President herself,” he added.
Uncertainties
Mayor Tomas Osmeña, on the other hand, told a press conference that he is against the proposal to realign the budget for the flyover and use it for the road widening, saying it exposes the government to additional uncertainties.
He said that if the City Council members decide against the flyover, theirs is just “another voice” opposing the construction.
He advised those who are against the project “to be realistic and put their feet on the ground.”
“Do not compare the project to the pie in the sky. Of course the pie is more attractive, but it is in the sky,” the mayor said. (RHM)
