Trader says Mega Cebu master plan shouldn’t be cast aside by council

STUDIES on the traffic and transport master plan for Cebu should not be undermined, a businessman said yesterday.

Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI) president Roberto Aboitiz said research studies on traffic and other data should be given consideration by concerned government agencies.

Aboitiz referred to the findings and recommendations of the Technical Working Group (TWG) of the Regional Development Council-Infrastructure Development Committee (RDC-IDC) that was voted down last week.

“These studies are the efforts of people, they should be given due consideration,” Aboitiz told Cebu Daily News.

He said the studies can provide information on other areas of public interest.

Among the recommendations of the study is the suspension of the flyovers due to lack of traffic data and public forum.

It also proposes more bike lanes and sidewalks in Metro Cebu.

The Metro Cebu Development Coordinating Board (MCDCB), whose members include businessman Aboitiz, said they are finalizing the committee with its members and working groups as the institutional anchors.

RAFI will facilitate the crafting of the master plan.

Aboitiz said they would get the community involved in the making of the Mega Cities master plan through public surveys and online portals.

It would be based on advice grounded on technical expertise with “broader integration,” especially on traffic, land use and drainage concerns, Aboitiz said.

He said once the master plan is completed, they will seek RDC’s approval and propose ways on how it can be integrated to the previous master plan for Cebu. Reporter Candeze R. Mongaya