Monday, February 04, 2008 Nalzaro: Put your acts together By Bobby Nalzaro Saksi
AFTER all the brouhaha and controversies surrounding the construction of the Banilad-Talamban flyover, I think it’s time for our elected city officials to stop debating and put their acts together in finding solution to whatever problems that might crop up during the on-going construction. Debating on the postponement of the construction will not do good to the project in particular and Cebu City in general.
The issue is very simple: It’s about the volume of traffic once the construction starts. Even without the fly over construction, the Banilad-Talamban area is already a problematic area as far as traffic is concerned. In fact, that’s one of the main reasons the City Council upon the instruction of Mayor Tomas Osmeña passed a resolution to stop any development in the area if the traffic problem will not be solved. The council’s resolution was backed up by some urban planning experts (kuno) at the City Zoning Board.
Because of the resolution, the Provincial Government’s Ciudad, a high end condominium and subdivision project, was put to a halt. The contractor was not issued necessary permits by City Hall. Well, the decision by City Hall to stop development in the area has also the political undertone. It was passed at the height of the verbal tussle between Mayor Osmeña and Gov. Gwen Garcia because of the aborted land swap deal.
The City Council especially Vice Mayor Michal Rama wanted the construction delayed for one or two months because of the following arguments. First, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) failed to fix the deteriorating alternate routes and widen the area. Second, the City Traffic Operations Management (Citom) failed in its experiment on the odd-even scheme. Third, the volume of traffic might be lessened because it’s summer vacation time.
Well, Mr. Mike, stop blaming the DPWH and Citom because you and the City Council can also be blamed. You were remiss in your duty of monitoring and making follow ups on the project. This project has been delayed already. The construction was supposed to start October of last year. But because of the request of some businessmen especially those who are having business at the Banilad Town Center, the DPWH and Rep. Raul Del Mar, the main proponent of the project, delayed the construction because of the Christmas Holidays and Sinulog. It was agreed by all stakeholders that the construction will start on February 01, 2008.
During those days, what was the City Council doing? Why did you not call the attention of DPWH and Citom to fix the alternate routes and conduct a thorough study on how to accommodate the volume of traffic once the construction starts? Where were you and the City Council during those days, Mr. Mike? Why push the issue on postponement only one week before the start of the construction?
Okay, the volume of traffic during summer vacation might be lessened. But remember that the construction will last for six months. What about during the opening of classes in June? It will be worse. I suspect that the honorable vice mayor brought up that issue on the postponement, thinking he will get support from the mayor. Because if the mayor decides to delay the construction, I doubt if DPWH will proceed. But unfortunately the mayor was not convinced of the City Council’s position. He was supporting the commencement of the project all the way.
So, I would suggest to the Vice Mayor that instead of blaming each other, you, the City Council, DPWH and Citom should put your acts together to find solution to the traffic problem in that area. Dili ni madala og panguros, Mr. Mike, estudyuhan gyod ni. Maybe by singing your favorite song, ‘The way you look tonight’, we can find solution to this problem. I will join you.
