Tejero residents: Limit road widening

RESIDENTS  of Alviola Street in fire-ravaged barangay Tejero yesterday asked Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama to limit the width of the road to 7 meters instead of 10 meters to leave space for their homes.

Felimon Descallar said if the planned  restoration of the road to its original 10-meter width—the standard for barangay roads—is   implemented, he would be left without a house but only space for a refrigerator.

Descallar and  representatives of 58 families who were earlier issued notices to tear down structures encroaching the 10-meter-wide street met yesterday with Rama,  Department for the Welfare of the Urban Poor  head Collin Rosell and City Planning and Development Office  head Alipio Bacalso.

Descallar said  four families would be displaced if his house is demolished.

Rosell asked the residents to write their request but reminded them of a city ordinance that stipulates that barangay roads should be 10 meters wide. Engineering personnel said they would complete the reblocking of the fire site this week.

Rama said he will consider the residents’ appeal if they have valid reasons. The mayor earlier announced a plan to  widen Alviola Street and connect it to Sampaguita Street near a residential area that was hit by fire last July 9.

The narrow passage made it difficult for firefighters to bring fire trucks closer to the fire. /Chief Of Reporters Doris C. Bongcac