Continue road reform
The Road Revolution activity last Saturday drew flak from commuters and businessmen because of the inconvenience caused by the closure of Colon Street and two other downtown roads to car traffic.
It prompted chairman Jack Jakosalem of the City Traffic Operations Management to say Citom would be careful about allowing a repeat activity.
I think the inconvenience to the public was expected and were birth pains in the bid for a more fair sharing of public roads by pedestrians and cars. The Cebu city government should not be discouraged by the initial public reaction but must accept it as a challenge to stage a better Road Revolution with less inconvenience.
The public has to cooperate in order for the Road Revolution to succeed. In the long run, business will thrive if the goal is achieved: “Those with less in wheels should have more in roads.”
The activity was a service to the people especially those without vehicles because at least for one day, ordinary residents lorded it over the streets and enjoyed walking in a healthier atmosphere without the fumes of motor vehicles.
Critics who complain have a short-sighted view of what would eventually be good for them.
Mayor Mike Rama should support another Road Revolution and convince Cebu City residents to participate.
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I am happy that this early Congressman Tommy Osmeña has announced his intent to put up a flyover in Cebu City’s south district. That gives people ample time to think about the project and prepare for its implementation.
But why do congressmen unilaterally put up infrastructure projects in their district without consulting the local government unit that is affected?
In Cebu City, we have two proposed flyovers in the north district that are opposed by a traffic management board and yet the proponents and the Department of Public Works and Highways chose to ignore their objections.
Why?
Will logic and common sense no longer play a role in deciding what to implement? Will voices of the people be ignored in implementing government projects in our city? What right do congressmen have to insist on a project that is objected to by stakeholders and experts in urban planning?
Is it not logical for congressmen to consult the local government in implementing projects funded by their pork barrels? Let’s see in the flyover controversy whether President Benigno Aquino III is true to his word that the people are his boss.
The issue is so simple. The people of Cebu City want to be consulted before any national project is implemented in their beloved city because it is they who would eventually be affected.
The flyover in Mambaling was built without consulting the city government so there is going to be a problem when it comes to implementing the proposed Bus Rapid Transit in the south district.
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The President’s revelation that buko juice is in demand among Americans is good news. Promoting coconut water will bring economic progress in the countryside where many coconut farms are found.
But the government should also do its job by planning or designing a program to promote coconut plantations to provide enough supply to meet international market demands. This will encourage city folk with roots in the province to go back to their roots, plant coconut trees and earn money.
