Rama seeks meeting with P-Noy to stop flyover projects

Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama said he would still seek a meeting with President Aquino about his objections to two new flyovers in the city.

He said he was  confident the resolution passed on Friday by the  Regional Development Council (RDC) – Central Visayas  calling for a review of proposed flyover projects in Cebu City would  call the attention of the national governmen but said the matter still needs the President’s intervention.

The two flyovers are sponsored by Rep. Rachel Marguerite “Cutie” del Mar, who  wrote the President urging him to ignore local critics because the flyovers were needed to decongest traffic and that a P600 million in the budget of the Department  of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) was already available to start the project this year.

Mayor Rama also wrote Aquino but hasn’t received a reply from the President who is still in the United States.

“If the President will be aware (of our concerns) something will be done).  I know the Office of the President is not aware about it,” he said.

He said no less than the President, not the DPWH, needs to be persuaded to stop it.

“The one who can really stop it is the one who will sign the notice to proceed. DPWH is not the one to be persuaded, They are just doing a ministerial role.”

The RDC 7 agreed to create a  technical working group to review transportation studies in Cebu including the proposed flyover projects in  intersections of M.J. Cuenco and General Maxilom Avenues and Gorordo and Archishop Reyes avenues.

Rama said the RDC composition which includes two governors  – Gwen Garcia (Cebu) and Edgar Chatto (Bohol) – was “potent enough” to get the attention of a national agency.

Meanwhile, the council of barangay Luz has asked the Cebu City government to conduct a series of consultations with stakeholders about traffic congestion along Gov. Cuenco Avenue.

In an Aug. 6  resolution, the barangay said that until this is done, the city should prevent  any new commercial developments especially the proposed Cuidad project which would increase vehicular volume.

Barangay captain Rian Tante said  they acted after reading news reports the city planning office had issued a a  locational clearance to Fifth Avenue Development Corp. for Ciudad.

The City Council referred the barangay Luz concerns to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, which issued the environmental clearance certificate (ECC) for Ciudad. /With a report from Chief of Reporters Doris C. Bongcac