Flyover work still awaits DPWH chief’s approval

IT’S up to Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson whether the government will proceed to build flyovers in Cebu City.

Asst. Regional Director Juby Cordon of the Department of Public Works and Highways in Central Visayas (DPWH-7) said there was no definite timeframe for the projects and that the final decision rests with Singson, who issued a November 2011 suspension on all flyover construction.

Cordon denied saying the flyovers would “definitely” be built within the year as reported here in Cebu Daily News on Tuesday.

“Hopefully, matutuloy this year pero depende sa Secretary. Any scheme that will develop the flyovers will depend on him,” she told CDN yesterday to clarify matters.

Cordon earlier said the money for the projects was already available and “it would be a waste not to use it.”

She said the DPWH regional office already submitted their road-widening plans to Manila for Singson’s approval.

Results of a traffic study conducted by the DPWH-7, as ordered by President Aquino who gave a December deadline, were already sent to the central office in Manila.

The suspension stalled the start of two flyovers in MJ Cuenco Avenue and Gorordo Avenue after local stakeholders, including traffic managers, heritage advocates and urban planners, opposed the projects for being done without consultation and an updated Metro Cebu transport study. Nuns of the Asilo de la Milagrosa also objected that the structures would eat up their property and obstruct the view of the shrine.

Maria Nellama, DPWH-7 spokesperson, said the DPWH-7 was still conducting a parcellary survey to define the road-right-of-way and properties affected on M.J. Cuenco Avenue.

Nellama said the survey covered the road from Mabolo church to Hipodromo Road and that they were still negotiating with lot owners who would be affected by road widening.

Meanwhile, Cordon emphasized that the regional office would wait for the Secretary’s decision on whether he would lift the suspension order.

She said the budget for road widening would be taken from the 2012 DPWH-7 Regular Infrastructure Project, which covers road widening and drainage along Hipodromo. Reporter Candeze R. Mongaya