DPWH: Adjustments set to protect church

Adjustments” will be made to ensure that construction of a P300 million flyover project along Gorordo Avenue won’t damage the Asilo dela Milagrosa church, a public works  official said.

“It’s possible to make  adjustments. We already discussed it with our engineers,” said Augustinito Hermoso, legal counsel of thehe Department fo Public Works and Highways in Central Visayas (DPWH-7), yesterday.

“Only the sidewalk of the church will be affected,” he said.

Work on the overpass is  expected to start next month.

Meanwhile, a dialog is set for  3 p.m. Friday at the  the Asilo dela Milagrosa’s St. Catherine Hall.

Invitations were sent to  the DPWH and Rep. Rachel Marguerite “Cutie” del Mar by the coalition formerly called Stop Cebu Flyovers.

The group has renamed itself Movement for a Liveable Cebu, said convenor Joel Lee, a permaculture advocate and hotel owner.

The group  met yesterday with Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma  to seek guidance in their campaign against the implementation of  two flyover projects Rep. del Mar is sponsoring in the city’s north district.

The group visited Palma during  the annual retreat of the clergy in the Talavera House of Prayer in Cebu City.

Lee  said they explained their side to Archbishop Palma, who “carefully listened” to their discussions and told them that the priests would also deliberate on the matter.

“He said that they would also issue an official statement in behalf of the clergy,” Lee said.

Palma previously told Cebu Daily News that he personally objects to  the flyover, but he isn’t speaking on behalf of the Archdiocese since the clergy needs  to discuss the issue.

The movement also sent invitations to del Mar and the DPWH for a dialogue this Friday afternoon at the Asilo dela Milagrosa.

“As representatives, they should be more visible and explain their project,” said Lee.

Red paint marks  on the perimeter wall of Asilo dela Milagrosa show the measurements “+3.70” with a directional arrow to mark the 3.7 meter setback to be made for the flyover project by the DPWH.

The nuns overseeing the church and a charity house for indigents and elderly said this would mean destroying part of the garden grotto, a crisis center, parking lot, two guard houses and would push back the wall close to the main door of the church.

Hermoso said Rep. Rachel “Cutie” del Mar of Cebu City’s north district talked to him about the situation and they agreed to look for solutions to save the structures in the church property.

Hermoso said the posts and foundation for the flyover which covers the first phase of the project starts next month.

Hermoso said WTG Construction won the bidding last August in Manila and the notice of award was issued in the first week of September.

Another firm, WT Construction, won the bid for the flyover in  MJ Cuenco Avenue near the Carreta cemetery.

Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama scoffed at the earlier suggestion of Rep. Tomas Osmeña of Cebu City’s south district to sell the Asilo Dela Milagrosa and let the nuns move elsewhere.

“That is  ridiculous. How could he suggest that? He is creating more of a  problem.” Rama told Cebu Daily News.

Osmeña, who supports the flyover projects, said these should not be set aside since it would be beneficial to the city residents. With Correspondent Edison delos Angeles