RESIDENTS affected by the proposed diversion roads have expressed mixed reactions to the project.
For 35-year-old Michael Belita, a trisikad driver in Guadalupe, this will help lessen traffic since those coming from the north can take an alternative route when going south.
Michael Granada, barangay peace and security administrator, said that despite already having high vehicle volume, especially during the morning rush, he sees the diversion road as a mitigating measure.
“Para man na ma-decongest ang traffic unya kami diri sa barangay mosuporta ra gyud mi sa kaayuhan sa syudad (It’s to decongest traffic and we in the barangay are supportive of any developments in the city),” he told SunStar Cebu.
Street food vendor Merlin dela Calzada, 48, shared the sentiment, saying it may even decongest traffic in the main thoroughfare, and will also benefit northbound motorists.
“I used to work in Lahug and it was hectic considering that bottleneck is an occasional occurrence along N. Escario St. and Gorordo Ave. I think the diversion road will help,” she said in Cebuano.
For 59-year-old Cecilia Galon, who grew up in Sitio Salinas in Lahug, where talks of another road diversion leading to Guadalupe have been circulating for the past decade, any infrastructure project should be a welcome development.
A former government employee, Galon said it’s normal for people to have initial reservations on such big projects, but it should be noted that developments entail a lot of adjustments.
“I’m glad because at least the foresight before might become a possibility now. Lahug is also becoming an industrialized area so there must be long-term planning, which will include traffic management,” she said.
Barangay tanod John Taborada, though, is against the project since this may turn the affected area into a “junction box”, resulting to bottleneck.
SunStar Cebu tried to reach Guadalupe Barangay Captain Michael Gacasan and Lahug village chief Jovito Taborada Jr., but they were not available as of press time. (RTF)