City mayor challenges Council on ‘no flyover’ policy

CEBU City Mayor Michael Rama who said he’s already taken a stand  against more  flyovers in the city challenged the City Council to do the same.

Rama made this statement when asked about the scheduled Aug. 26 public hearing on the construction of  two new flyovers endorsed by  Rep. Rachel “Cutie” del Mar of Cebu City’s north district, who said funds were already available for the projects to start this year.

“There is a council that ought to be making a stand on the matter,” said Rama.

“There is a clear statement from  Citom (City Traffic Operations Management) that they did not know of the matter.”

Del Mar said a    P600 million budget was available for road right of way acqusitision and construction of the flyovers in her district, one near the Asilo de Milagrosa at the intersection of Gorordo Avenue and Archbishop Reyes Avenue and another near Carreta cemetery along the intersection of M.J. Cuenco Avenue and General Maxilom Avenue.

The projects still have to be bidded out by the Dept. of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

Rama, however, said two flyovers along Archbishop Reyes Avenue near Waterfront  Hotel and the Cebu Business Park barely address traffic problems in the area because they still need wide roads on both sides.

“What we need now is road widening.  I’m not saying we’re against skywalks and flyovers because they are  insignificant.  My position is that road widening should come first.”

Rama  wrote Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson last July asking the DPWH to suspend implementation of the flyovers in favor of an updated Metro Cebu traffic study and more cost-efficient solutions such as road widening  and flared intersections.

“If they (Del Mar) have their own stand, wala tay reklamo ana,” said Rama.

“If they tend to be myopic or  blind, it’s up to them.  Why do I have to talk to them? It’s all up to DPWH,” said Rama./Chief of Reporters Doris C. Bongcac