Mayor woos developer to construct road

CEBU City Mayor Michael Rama yesterday revealed that a major land developer is willing to help the local government implement four projects, which include building another access road to Barangay Hipodromo.

Rama said, though, that the terms and conditions of the collaboration between City Hall and Ayala Land Corp. have yet to be drawn.

“They are very much willing to discuss it with us,” he said.

The mayor said he presented five projects to the property developer last Monday.

One of the projects is the construction of an access road connecting Hipodromo to the Cebu Business Park, developed in 1990 by Ayala-led Cebu Holdings Inc.

Rama said that Barangay Hipodromo only has one access road.

“The layout of Hipodromo is another disaster in the making. You could imagine if a fire will start at the entrance, how will they get out?,” he asked.

Hipodromo used to be a horse race track. Houses are built along the old race oval, which is accessible from M. J. Cuenco Ave. Although there are several footpaths used by residents, only the access road from M.J. Cuenco Ave. is wide enough for four-wheeled vehicles.

Rama also asked Ayala Land to help the City Government beautify the sidewalk on A. Soriano Ave. in the North Reclamation Area.

He said that the sidewalk beautification will complement the road concreting project in the area by the Department of Public Works and Highways.

Rama said that if the project is completed, the road can be renamed A. Soriano-Ayala Ave. to show appreciation to the property developer’s contribution.

The mayor also asked Ayala Land’s help to improve the portion of M. J. Cuenco Ave., which leads to the Cebu Business Park, and to restore a creek in Barangay Carreta.

Rama said that the project has been discussed by the City’s Division for the Welfare of the Urban Poor, barangay officials and the Ayala group.

“The creek was covered that is why there is flooding in the area during heavy downpour. It (project) has been long overdue,” he said.

The project, he said, would involve the relocation of some families who occupy the covered creek.