Cebu City Dev’t Council: Use funds for drainage

Flyover proponents in Cebu City suffered another blow when the local development council yesterday rejected a proposal to fund two more flyover projects in the north district.

In their meeting, the City Development Council headed Mayor Michael Rama said funds should be rechanneled to drainage projects and traffic master plans instead.

“Lack of CDC endorsement means that the two flyover projects cannot be implemented,” the mayor said during the meeting.

Bacayan barangay captain Armando Borces, a CDC member, said mountain barangay roads need widening.

Rama said he will write Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson to relay the CDC’s concerns.

(It was Singson who suspended all flyover projects September last year after protests were raised by various groups in Cebu, including Mayor Rama.)

Rama said he will also alert Singson ahead about the submission of the list of priority projects by DPWH0-7 to their head office without CDC endorsement.

“It is very obvious that what our people need are drainage improvement projects to address our flooding problems. The businessmen are also asking for road improvements,” Rama said.

Rep. Rachel del Mar of Cebu City’s north district and her father, former representative Raul del Mar, could not be reached for comment yesterday. Both are in the United States.

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) 7 presented to the Regional Development Council in a meeting held last Thursday a list of priority projects for the provinces of Cebu, Bohol, Siquijor and Negros Oriental.

Rama spoke of the outcome of the RDC consultative meeting in yesterday’s CDC noontime meeting attended by 100 people which included 57 barangay captains at City Hall’s social hall.

During the meeting, barangay captains Pancho Ramirez of Sto. Niño and Jun Ramos of Quiot stepped out to attend to other commitments.

The two barangay captains are affiliated with the Bando Osmeña-Pundok Kauswagan (BO-PK) camp.

In a motion filed by Busay barangay captain Eleodoro Sanchez and seconded by barangay captains Jerry Guardo of Sambag 1 and Ramil Ayuman of Apas, the CDC passed a resolution rejecting the two new flyover projects.

Sanchez and Guardo are among the council candidates of Team Rama while Ayuman is a Rama supporter.

DPWH 7 is proposing P2.26 billion worth of projects in Cebu City – P1.56 billion for the north district and P700 million for the south district.

The flyover projects eyed for diversion of funds cover the junctions of Juan Luna and M. J. Cuenco Avenues near the Mabolo church and along Juan Luna and Cardinal Rosales Avenues near the Seminario Mayor de San Carlos.

The first flyover is estimated to cost P230 million while the second one if worth P200 million.

Also in the list is P321.7 million worth of road improvement projects like the proposed widening of the Banilad Talamban Road worth P150 million.

Former north district Rep. Raul del Mar said that the two new flyover projects will complete the network of flyover projects which he and his daughter Rep. Rachel del Mar envision for their district.

Bidding was already conducted for two proposed flyovers along the junctions of M. J. Cuenco and General Maxilom Avenues and Gorordo and Archbishop Reyes Avenues.

Work was stalled because of fierce opposition from Mayor Rama and citizens groups who formed the Movement for Liveable Cebu, who are pushing for a traffic master plan before any implementation of new flyovers.

In the south district, DPWH is proposing the improvement of roads and bridges – at P455 million and construction of two under passes for the South Road Properties at P160.4 million.