‘Del Mar shouldn’t insist on city flyover projects’

Both the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and a civil society group scored former congressman Raul del Mar’s insistence to push through with two flyover projects in a Cebu City Development Council meeting last Monday.

“He was advised by DPWH to realign his flyover projects because these were deferred like what Congressman Tomas Osmeña did. But he still wants to pursue them,” said DPWH regional spokesperson Marie Nillama.

The flyover projects at the MJ Cuenco corner in front of Saint Joseph the Patriach parish church iin Mabolo and along Ayala access road F. Cabahug Street were lobbied by del Mar, who represented his daughter Rep. Rachel del Mar during the meeting.

The matter was set aside for a future meeting.

The flyovers were deleted last June 15 from the priority list of projects of the CCDC   following opposition from Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama, affected businessmen and the Movement for a Liveable Cebu.

Nillama said while a legislator has the option of  where to spend his or her congressional funds, proper endorsements have to be secured as part of protocol.

These endorsements include those from the City Development Council (CDC) and Regional Development Council (RDC), Nillama said.

Del Mar said during Monday’s meeting that the flyovers are needed to ease traffic in the area.

He also brought with him a resolution from the Association of Barangay Captains signed by 49 barangay leaders in Cebu City endorsing the two flyover projects.

“The flyover in barangay Kasambagan has already been budgeted with P160 million but it was stopped when DPWH Secretary Rogelio Singson signed a moratorium on flyover construction in 2011,” Nillama said.

In a text message, MLC chided the elder del Mar for “being a bully” in pushing for the flyovers s on behalf of his daughter.

It also said the CDC should stand up to the former congressman who will run for reelection next year.

“Shame on those 49 barangay captains…for not knowing the right way to go and for not having the courage to stop people from obstructing the legal process,” the message said.

Mayor Rama tangled with  Mar on the floor, saying the matter was not on the agenda.

Nillama clarified that positive endorsements and budgets are no assurance that the project will push through.  She cited the fate of the proposed flyover in Gorordo Avenue.

“Like what happened to the the one in front of Asilo dela Milagrosa in Gorordo Avenue, it did not push through despite positive endorsements from CDC and RDC because there were oppositions from civic groups,” Nillama said. Correspondent Jessa Chrisna Marie J. Agua