NEWS BRIEFS

‘REVIEW FLYOVER PROJECTS’

DUMAGUETE CITY—The Regional Development Council (RDC) in Central Visayas yesterday agreed to form a technical working group to review transportation studies in Cebu including the two flyover projects proposed in Cebu City’s north district.

Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama, RDC 7 chairman, called for the suspension of the P600-million flyover projects.

“There are pros and cons and the matter cannot be ignored. If there is no clear understanding this will be continuous issue,” he said.

The TWG will determine how the new flyovers would affect traffic studies like the Master Plan for High Standard Highway Network by Japan International Cooperation Fund (JICA), which was completed last year.

A second study, the Development of Public Transportation Strategic Plan for Metro Cebu, is being conducted by the Department of Transportation and Communication and will be finished next month.

Emmanuel Rabacal, IDC chairman, said in an earlier interview that the IDC resolution was not enough to stop the implementation of the flyover projects./Correspondent Edison A. delos Angeles

RDC LAUDS EX-POLICE CHIEF

DUMAGUETE CITY—The Regional Development Council in Central Visayas yesterday commended Chief Supt. Ager Ontog, outgoing Police Regional Office director.

In a resolution approved on mass motion, the council said the region benefited from Ontog’s performance in helping policemen uphold their commitment to serve and protect citizens.

“I am very happy with his stint as the PRO-7 director. We could always see good coordination between the region and the city,” Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama said in an interview.

“If I needed augmentation, I would just call him and he would respond.”

Rama said said Ontog played a big role in the transfer of the Fuente Police station to the lot in front of the PRO-7 in Osmeña Boulevard.

Rama also said Ontog cooperated in the Cebu city government campaign to beautify and maintain the area of PRO-7 along the boulevard.

“I am sad that he has to leave but happy at the same time to know that he is getting a better position at Camp Crame,” Rama said.

PRO-7 Deputy Regional Director Louie Oppus represented the PRO-7 at the RDC meeting.

Ontog visited Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia the other day at the Capitol for his exit call.

He was accompanied by his replacement, Chief Supt. Marcelo Garbo. .

Ontog thanked Garcia for the assistance she gave to him and the entire PRO-7./Correspondent Edison A. delos Angeles