THE Mactan-Cebu Bridge Management Board (MCBMB) wants to strictly enforce the law that limits access to the approaches of bridges, particularly the two that link the cities of Mandaue and Lapu-Lapu.
Engr. Pericles Dakay, MCBMB vice chairman, explained that bridges are supposed to entail limited access to pedestrians, and local government units should know and enforce this.
However, this is only a problem at the first bridge and not at the Marcelo B. Fernan Bridge.
Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia, MCBMB chairperson, directed that concrete barriers be installed in the Mandaue side near the approaches, and these barriers be painted with reflector paint.
But City Traffic Management System Chief Frank Brazil said traffic is not much of a problem in the Lapu-Lapu City side because locals treat it as “normal.”
“What is normal to Mr. Brazil is abnormal to us,” Dakay lamented.
He suggested building a flyover along ML Quezon Ave. to solve the traffic problem.
The proposal to build a flyover in the area was scrapped five years ago because the cost-benefit analysis showed that the construction would be inefficient. However, Dakay said the situation then was different.
Garcia directed the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) 7 to make a presentation on this regard.
Garcia is also positive that the P12-million funding for the replacement of expansion joints at the Marcelo B. Fernan Bridge will be released.
Garcia said she received communication from DPWH Central Office that the request for funding would be given utmost priority.
Contract
Also during yesterday’s meeting, MCBMB verbally approved another contract with City Advertising to advertise at the bridge for two years. The contract entails a 7.5-percent increase in payment for this year from the last, and another 7.5-increase for the year 2011.
Part of the contract stipulates that the contents of the tarpaulins are presentable, the governor said.
The Technical Working Group of the MCBMB headed by National Economic and Development Agency 7 Director Marlene Alviso also made a presentation to improve security at the two bridges.
Alviso recommended that MCBMB enhance the monitoring system at the bridges and do away with security guards because of an increase in salary, as stipulated by the Philippine Association of Detective and Protective Agency Operators.
MCBMB will renew the contract of the security agency, though, until March to ensure smooth transition.
MCBMB also welcomed two new members to the board—the Mactan-Cebu International Airport Authority and the Cebu Port Authority.