‘Flyover debate launched campaign for master plan’

The movers behind a Mega Cebu master plan yesterday gained a new ally in the Church.

In lending his support for the master plan, Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma said the clamor for a comprehensive master plan through community involvement is a “good sign” for development.

“We are in this movement. We want to contribute on our own share to make people aware of this effort,” Palma told businessmen Roberto Aboitiz and Bunny Pages in a meeting at the archbishop’s residence yesterday afternoon.

While saying that he “shares their optimism” for the growth of a “better Cebu, Palma said the success of any master plan depends on how fast, serious and scientifically grounded it is.

“As a member of the church, I share the prayer and desire that these wonderful things should happen,” Palma said.

He said stakeholders should collaborate to make the plan a reality.

Aboitiz earlier aired the need for a “Mega Cebu” master plan, which was initiated by the Metro Cebu Development Coordinating Board (MCDCB).

Time frame

He showed a video and PowerPoint presentation on the “regionalization” of Metro Cebu.

The master plan for “Mega Cebu,” which covers 13 cities and municipalities of Metro Cebu, will have a 25- to 30- year time frame.

Palma and other church officials asked the businessmen on the church’s role in the master plan.

Aboitiz said the church can contribute by creating understanding and using their influence to convince the community and its leaders about the viability of the master plan.

He said Cebu’s lack of a transport master plan would reduce opportunities for investments and employment.

Aboitiz also admitted that the “Mega Cebu” proposal stemmed in part from the opposition to the flyover projects in Cebu City.

“The projects were about to be implemented without involving an integrated plan. This is why we objected. We must have a master plan first,” he said.

Basic information

Aboitiz said the project proponents used “very basic” information in studying the project.

“It’s not based on solid and good data. We are suggesting to hold it off because these projects are not cheap and it’s the taxpayer’s money,” he said.

Pages, a member of the Movement for Liveable Cebu, said if the flyover projects didn’t draw opposition from the private sector, then the clamor for a master plan would not have been as resonant.

“The flyovers triggered everything. We have to ride on the momentum,” he said.

The two flyovers along the junctures of MJ Cuenco Avenue and Gorordo Avenue, which costs P600 million, was suspended by Public Works and Highways Secretary Ronaldo Singson.

Singson cited opposition from civil society, particularly the Church, as a factor in suspending the projects that were lobbied by Rep. Rachel Marguerite “Cutie” del Mar of Cebu City’s north district.

Del Mar, whose father former congressman Raul del Mar pushed for the projects, said the master plan can be drafted after the flyovers were built.

Consultation

But Aboitiz said Metro Cebu should rethink as a city-region where its local government units (LGUs) can maintain their own geopolitical integrity while planning and working with each other on shared common goals.

Aboitiz said the master plan will focus on sustainability through a framework of economic prosperity and ecological integrity.

He said the master plan for Metro Vancouver in Canada was crafted after extensive public consultation and coordination and partnership among government agencies, nongovernment organizations and civil society.

Aboitiz said the MCDCB, its committees and working groups would be institutional anchors, while the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI) will facilitate the process of crafting the master plan.

He said they will provide research and act as knowledge repository as well as handle program and organizational development.

“We will lead the civil society group, business leaders in the planning process. The private sectors will engage with the politicians and craft the strategic plan,” he said.

Among the areas of cooperation identified in the master plan include urban and land use planning and zoning, transport and traffic, pollution control, flood control public safety, road improvement and infrastructure development.

Also included were urban renewal and shelter, coastal resources and watershed management, climate change adaptation and health and sanitation and environmental management.

Permanent reality

While the master plan is being worked out, the MCDB can address ongoing concerns in traffic, land use and peace and order, Capitol consultant Rory Jon Sepulveda said.

He said while legislation that would create a Mega Cebu is welcome, it would take time.

Earlier Mandaue City Administrator James Abadia said a law is needed to make the “Mega Cebu” plan a permanent reality.

“(Enacting a law on Mega Cebu) is subject to a lot of factors totally out of the hands of the Cebuanos,” he said.

Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia said drafting the master plan will take some time due to the inputs of Metro Cebu LGUs.  Candeze R. Momgaya, Reporter with Correspondent Carmel Loise Matus