Residents assured road widening to safeguard landmarks

RESIDENTS who fear the loss of their ancestral properties with the planned road widening project along M. J. Cuenco Avenue can now relax a bit.

Raul del Mar, former north district representative, said the Central Visayas office Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is already taking over the conduct of road re-survey to make sure that adjustments on the road width would have minimal impact on ancestral homes and other important structures in the area.

“If ever some will be affected, they will be compensated, but we also know that their ancestral homes are very valuable, and its worth can’t be measured in terms of money because these are irreplaceable. Taking this in mind, we assure Mabolo residents that a re-survey will be done,” Del Mar told Cebu Daily News.

Del Mar said he met with DPWH Regional Director Ador Canlas on Thursday to discuss the road widening project.

The M. J. Cuenco road widening project which covers barangays Carreta, Hipodromo and Mabolo, is expected to affect some ancestral houses, old trees and a grotto among others.

The project involves road widening on both sides of a flyover proposed to be built along the intersection of General Maxilom and M. J. Cuenco Avenues.

DPWH had earlier sent notices asking affected residents to voluntarily remove their structures in preparation for the road widening starting next month.

In a petition, residents said while they don’t oppose the project, they wanted DPWH to be fair about identifying whose land would be affected.

The road-widening will involve part of M. J. Cuenco Avenue from the corner of General Maxilom Avenue to the Mabolo parish church.

They want DPWH to use the center of the road as base point in measuring what lots will be taken, and to spare old trees and heritage structures like ancestral home.