The Lapu-Lapu City council approved a resolution authorizing Mayor Paz Radaza to enter into a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with Metropolitan Cebu Water District (MCWD) for the rehabilitation of the Abuno-Pajac road during last Wednesday’s session.
This developed after the Lapu-Lapu city government received numerous complaints from motorists and pedestrians about the Abuno-Pajac road that has been damaged since MCWD excavated the roadside for a piping project starting early this year to improve their water system in the area towards Cordova town.
There were even reports that a tricycle with passengers fell into a pit.
Mayor Paz Radaza then ordered the MCWD to cover the excavated pit that was left open to prevent further accident, but the water district asked to give them more time as they still have to check on leaks after laying the pipes.
Charmaine Rodriguez, head of MCWD public affairs office, brought a proposal to the city government, but city legal officer Yuri Benluan didn’t agree with some of its conditions.
On Wednesday, their proposal finally earned the nod of the city council.
The water district will turn over to the city the P1.2 million check as their counterpart fund for the project during the MOA signing, which has yet to be scheduled. The City Engineering Office assessed the cost needed to rehabilitate the area and they came up with the amount.
Radaza said they are limiting MCWD up to 300 meters for every excavation permit so as not to affect residents.
Mayor Radaza said the Abuno-Pajac road rehabilitation project scheduled to start next year will cost the city around P12 million. The road reaches until the boundary of barangay Maribago and is about 3 kilometers long and 6 meters wide. /CORRESPONDENT NORMAN V. MENDOZA