Let’s delay building flyovers

It’s  the people’s right  to let their sentiments be known to  public officials  about the propriety of bulding two more flyovers in Cebu city. I’m happy that various groups  are doing this, even giving expert opinion, about the proposed  construction –  students, urban planners and government officials. It is hoped that  construction won’t be rushed and that  the proponents listen to e stakeholders. It is best to listen to the expert opinion of  urban planning experts on  solutions to decongest traffic in Cebu City. Some of them already did during the construction of the Banilad-Talamban flyover in 2008 but we didn’t  listen because we just wanted to try it. Now they’ve been  proven right.

We should look into the experiences of the three flyovers in  Banilad. Have they  helped  decongesting  traffic in the area. True enough, with two-lane flyovers they just transferred the traffic congestion to another area. The question is  why do we  continue to pursue a project that has been opposed, and why not first get a  master plan made?

Remember the  Banilad-Talamban flyover  debate? We didn’t heed  some urban experts because we wanted to give our politicians the chance to prove them wrong.

But now it seems the experts were  correct  after all. After all they went to school to study urban planning;politicians did not.

The proponent, Rep. Cutie del Mar and her father Raul, are saying that opposition is no longer relevant because the budget has already been approved and funds are available.

But I think there is an argument against that premise and it is common sense. Why build  a flyover when it won’t decongest traffic in the city and there are better solutions available? You can’t help people who suspect the motives of politicians  pursuing the project despite public opposition.

I think it would be best to delay construction and  instead widen the roads first, put up necessary flares in some intersections and open or improve alternate routes.

The Cebu city government should help put together a rational master plan for growt instead of leaving the decision to politics.

If the proponents don’t want to listen, I suggest that people power  bring public  sentiments to President Aquiono, who  says the “people are his boss”.

* * *

With the President’s appointment of Ramon Reyes Jimenez as the new Secretary of Tourism,  many are hoping that the tourism industry would proceed on  the right track with more cooperation from stakeholders.

From his first interview, it was clear  that Jimenez knows his business and has a clear sense of direction for the industry.

My good friend and 888 News Forum chairman Bobby Lim Joseph  was happy when Alberto Lim finally resigned as tourism chiec and is doubly happy with the choice of his replacement.

I’ve asked Joseph to invite Jimenez to one of our 888 forums so that we Cebuanos can hear from the top honcho himself his program of action.