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Friday, April 30, 2004
DPWH pledges to rush flyover after dad's scolding
By Rene H. Martel
Fernan assails haste, permits lack in del Mar project
CEBU -- The construction of a flyover at the junction of Archbishop Reyes Ave. and Escario Ext., Cebu City will be rushed and will proceed without closing the thoroughfares to traffic.
That was the promise given Wednesday by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), whose representative the Cebu City Council reproached because the office failed to secure the necessary permits.
Councilor Danilo Fernan also questioned why DPWH was "hell-bent" on immediately implementing the project, when it did not even have a building permit and other requisites from the City Government.
The project is funded by Cebu City north district Rep. Raul del Mar, whom Fernan is challenging in the May 10 elections.
Under Commission on Elections (Comelec) Resolution 6420, the construction of public works is prohibited from March 26 to May 9. Also covered by the election ban are the delivery of materials and disbursements for public works projects.
DPWH, which was represented by construction division chief Pedrito Montebon, earned another mouthful when it accused Councilor Procopio Fernandez of preempting its move.
That was after Fernandez proposed a resolution last April 21 seeking the road's closure.
Fernan said that Vice Mayor Michael Rama reminded Montebon that DPWH sent a letter asking that a portion of the road be closed to traffic starting April 23.
Interviewed shortly after the council's executive session, which Rama did not allow media to cover, del Mar said DPWH will implement the project without closing the road to traffic.
As construction progresses and the need for the road closure arises, that's the time DPWH will seek council approval.
"When the time comes when closure will be needed, it will be limited to as few days as possible and application (for council approval) will be requested with the corresponding rerouting plan," del Mar said.
He added DPWH, through the winning contractor, will speed up the project so there will be "less inconvenience to the motorists."
The council, in last week's regular session, turned down Fernandez's proposed resolution asking for the road closure starting April 23.
Fernandez drafted the resolution after the City Traffic Operations Management board, where he, representing the council, is a member, tackled the letter from DPWH.
The council noted that no rerouting plan was readied once traffic is closed.
On Thursday, Councilor Gerardo Carillo said they learned that DPWH, although it has the intention to comply, has yet to secure, among others, a building permit and environmental compliance certificate.
Fernan said that even though the road will remain open, the presence of heavy equipment and construction materials will surely aggravate the traffic in the area.
"Why are they rushing it? Why do they want to start it when there's no rerouting scheme yet?" he said.
Fernan also said there is a possibility that DPWH will fall short of the budget since the winning bid was P61 million while the allocation was just pegged at P62 million.
"That would leave less than two percent of reserve fund. What will happen if there is escalation in the peso-dollar exchange? Makulang ang budget. Kanus-a na nya na mahuman," Fernan asked.
The same concern was raised by Councilor Jocelyn Pesquera during the April 21 regular session.
That was why she asked that Department of Budget and Management representatives should have also been around during Thursday's executive session.
(April 30, 2004 issue)
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