A LOCAL legislator has called incoming and reelected officials of the Cebu City Government to prioritize improvements to public roads in mountain barangays, saying the poor condition of these roads directly affects the livelihood of farmers and their ability to deliver goods to the city, especially during calamities like landslides.
In a privilege speech on Wednesday, June 11, 2025, Councilor Pastor “Jun” Alcover Jr. spoke about what he described as the neglect of upland communities.
During his speech, Alcover presented images showing roads with significant cracks in Barangays Guba and Agsungot. He also showed a video of a damaged road leading to Agsungot and said the risk is increased with the onset of the rainy season.
“Rainy season, unya dako kaayo nig problema sa mga lumulupyo sa kabukiran kay ang mga dalan didto kasagarang mga guba na, wala na sa ensaktong pagatiman,” he said.
(The rainy season poses a major problem for mountain residents because the roads there are mostly damaged from a lack of proper maintenance.)
Alcover said the mountain communities need immediate attention, saying both the executive and legislative branches must remember that maintaining public roads is a fundamental obligation of all elected officials.
The councilor said there is a critical link between functional roads and the economic well-being of upland residents.
“Atong hinumdoman nga ang mga produkto sa kabukiran maglisod og naog o deliver sa siyudad kon ang mga dalan gubaon,” he said, adding that this directly affects the livelihood of mountain barangay residents.
(Let’s remember that it would be difficult to deliver products from the mountains to the city if the roads are damaged.) / JPS