Resurvey results worry Mabolo home owners

An 80-year-old house  beside the Mabolo Church may lose its grotto, concrete fence and 12 trees for a road widening project that will precede the rise of a  flyover.

The trees are at least 30 years old.

House owner Aurora Ancajas Ramos, 76,  learned about this along with 25 other affected house owners in last night’s presentation of the second survey done by the Department of Public Works and Highways in Central Visayas (DPWH-7).

The presentation was attended by Rep. Rachel del Mar of Cebu City’s north district and her father Raul, both proponents of new  flyover projects in the city.

The P180 million road widening will be done at the foot of the proposed flyover  on  MJ Cuenco Avenue and extends after the Hippodromo access road until C. Mina Street  beside the Mabolo Church.

Engr. Nicomedes Leonor, head of the Cebu City Engineering district and the del Mars met with the affected property owners to answer questions about the  project.

DPWH’s earlier  survey was opposed by lot owners  on the left side of M. J. Cuenco Avenue along the Mabolo church, who said the road widening would  cut off six meters  of their land.

Last night’s presentation of the second survey or resurvey caused more anxiety for  Ramos and her son Richard.

They  complained that their ancestral home may be further reduced  from two meters to four meters.

Raul del Mar said he and his daughter are ready to work with the owners to minimize the impact on their private property.

“There is no urgency in doing this. This is for the future. We still have plenty of time to discuss and settle all of your concerns. We are trying to work this to your satisfaction,” the former congressman said.

Del Mar said the widening project is  separate from the P300 million flyover project being proposed by his daughter at the intersection of M. J. Cuenco and General Maxilom Avenues.

The flyover is already scheduled for bidding, he said.

“This is the less controversial flyover project. The more controversial one is the one in Asilo. What is more problematic in this area is the road widening,” del Mar said.

He said DPWH staff  will be sent to inspect Ramos home to determine if it’s possible that her 2,000 sq meter property won’t be reduced further.

“We are doing a series of consultations with the affected families. This will take time because we want to address all  concerns as much as possible,” said the former congressman.

Raul del Mar said there was  no time table for the road widening project and  that  it could be done  after the flyover is built. The next consultation will be held  on June 30.

The former congressman was seen talking to Ramos and assuring her that things will be worked out.

“Think positive, this will be solved to your satisfaction,” he told her  in Cebuano. With Correspondent Tweeny M. Malinao