‘No to flyover’ highlights forum

The Movement for a Livable Cebu (MLC) conducted their first information forum last Dec. 7 at 9 a.m. at the St. Theresa’s College.

This after the youth and student leaders requested them to help disseminate information to other students on their opposition to the construction of the two proposed flyovers in the city and all the other planned flyovers.

Student delegates led by University of San Carlos Architecture student Kaz Onozawa,  together with recording artist and former “Pinoy Big Brother” celebrity edition contestant Errol “Budoy” Marabiles, conducted information sessions, followed by a question-and-answer portion on strategies for a more livable Cebu and discussion on flyovers.

“We were extremely surprised that the youth strongly opposed the fly-overs at an open forum,” said Joel Lee, convenor of MLC.

The STC forum  was part of the series of forums the students organized to express their stand against flyovers.

The second information forum held yesterday at the University of the Philipines High School in Lahug, Cebu City, was attended by the UP High School students.

During the forum, Onozawa encouraged the participants to use bicycle instead of fuel-fed vehicles to reduce air pollution and traffic and to make Cebu a livable city.

The students are asking the support of fellow students to oppose the construction of flyovers.

According to MLC’s Technical Working Group, the Department of Public Works and Highways will decide within this month whether to proceed with the flyover construction.

MLC is an organization of private individuals formed to oppose the construction of flyovers in Cebu City. It is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The MLC and the students and youth leaders have maintained that the government should temporarily stop its plan to build flyovers and instead study other viable alternatives.

Onozawa and Budoy said that funds for the purpose should be better spent on other projects like better traffic lights, painted lines and more Cebu City Traffic Operations Management (Citom) personnel, school buildings, housing project and drainage system and health centers.