I didn’t quite get the rationale of the public information forum conducted by the Department of Public Works and Highways last week to thresh out issues regarding plans to construct two additional flyovers in Cebu City.
Usually, big ticket projects by government or private business planned around a community are preceded by public hearings to know the sentiments of the people.Their reactions, whether related to the ecology, like building subdivisions in the mountains, or moral considerations, like giving business permits to karaoke joints near schools, are considered in the approval of the project.
Oftentimes, their inputs would even reshape if not enhance the final project design if it turns out to be better than the original plan. In many cases, public concern about preserving historical landmarks also wins out against plans to build infrastructure.
In last week’s forum, despite the prevalence of opinion against the planned flyovers, the DPWH announced the projects will push through.
The flyover projects are being initiated by Cebu City north district Rep. Rachel “Cutie” del Mar, who has committed at least P550 million from her pork barrel for the plan. She is adamant in implementing the two flyovers because it will help solve traffic problems in the area around Gorordo Avenue near the Colegio Inmaculada Concepcion and the Perpetual Succor Hospital. She cited the same justification in the plan to build a flyover around the MJ Cuenco Avenue going to Hippodromo.
The city government is opposed to the projects.In the proposed flyover for MJ Cuenco Avenue, the DPWH failed to look into implications on the narrow road in Barangay Hipodromo where the flyover ends. City Traffic Management Office (CITOM) executive director Rafael Yap indicated that traffic will become worse in that junction because vehicles turning toward the access road going to Ayala Center will stall the flow of vehicles going down the flyover.
Reports say Yap was frustrated by the proceedings led by the DPWH because he had wanted to argue his points on the technical aspect, but DPWH Engr. Mario Montejo who acted as moderator, stopped him to accommodate more questions from the public.
Pro-flyover sectors included businessman and Philstar columnist Bobbit Avila, Vice Mayor Joy Young, Councilor Margot Osmeña, and 61 barangay captains who earlier signed a manifesto of support for the plan.
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If you want to know Cebu City’s economic situation, ask a taxi driver and he will tell you that it is closely related to the tremendous increase of cars, taxis and public utility vehicles plying the city streets but which has resulted in horrendous traffic problems that could jeopardize business climate.
The growth of the economy has spurred the construction of the south and north reclamation areas, road widening projects plus a number of flyovers around the city.They have eased traffic woes, but apparently can’t absorb the number of cars passing through the city streets.
Two additional flyovers will certainly cut down traffic issues, except for objections posed by the local government unit and a people’s organization led by a prominent businessman.Religious groups running a school and a hospital have also expressed reservations about the project.
Rep. del Mar is a diligent member of the House of Representatives as shown by her work in sourcing funds for Cebu City. However, she cannot just set aside the voice of the city residents who are strongly opposed to the projects because as end users, they are greatly affected. Moreover, it is their money as taxpayers that go into the projects.
What government planners and marketing specialists call “external coalition dynamics,” that is, the support of institutions and the community involved, is equally important as conceiving a project and securing its budget.
Oppositors attuned to city planning offer a sober approach, i.e., hire experts to draft a master development and traffic plan for the city. Actually, this plan is long overdue and perhaps this is where Rep. del Mar’s efforts would be more helpful. She is actually supportive of the move. She told reporters she understands the need “to open new access roads, build a modern mass transit system, skywalks and set up a good traffic management (system)”.
Wouldn’t it be logical to come up with a master traffic plan first before building the flyovers?
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Tonight at 6 pm at the St. Joseph parish church in Mabolo, Cebu City, the visionary and mystic Emma de Guzman, founder of La Pieta Prayer Group International is meeting up with members of Catholic renewal groups for a night of prayers, songs and healing. Bring family and friends, especially loved ones who are sick.