Rama wants RDC to recall flyover endorsements

AFTER securing a suspension on  flyover projects in Cebu City, Mayor Michael Rama wants to lobby for road-widening and a master plan for Metro Cebu.

Rama, who chairs the Regional Development Council in Central Visayas (RDC 7), said he will try to convince members to recall their past endorsements of flyover projects.

The last RDC quarterly meeting for the year is set in December.

Meanwhile, the Movement for a Liveable Cebu, which led the lobby against two flyovers in Cebu City,  will sponsor a series of consultations to develop a master plan for Cebu starting Nov. 22.

Joel Lee,  MLC convenor, said the two-day forum “Pangandoy Kong Sugbo” is open to the public.

It will  be moderated by ecology advocate and former presidential candidate Nicanor Perlas.

“This will be a venue to increase community awareness and start of the visioning of the Cebu we deserve. This is an open invitation, even for the Del Mars. All of us wish the best for Cebu,” Lee said.

The forum will be held in the West Gorordo Hotel owned by Lee, who said he hoped it will  “create new mind-sets” and discussions on a master plan for Cebu. Lee said they wanted to deliberate on ideas to develop a united Metro Cebu called “Kalawigan sa Sugbo” or the neighborhood of cities.

Meanwhile, Mayor Rama said he’s ready to join floor discussions in the next RDC meeting and let someone else be presiding officer to get discussion moving on steps to  revoke RDC endorsement on flyover projects.

“Why will the council not listen when we have a committee study to show them?” he said.

He was referring to a  technical report by the RDC  Infrastructure Development Committee (IDC)    released last week, setting down 10 observations that cast serious doubt about the soundness  and  viability of  flyovers in Cebu.

It noted the lack of a feasibility study and public consultation for flyovers built in the past and for two new ones proposed for Gorordo Avenue and M.J. Cuenco Avenue.

The DPWH has suspended construction of all flyovers in Cebu pending a comprehensive study amid the outcry by nongovernment groups and objections by Mayor Rama.

The flyovers are identified with and strongly supported by former congressman Raul del Mar and Rep. Rachel “Cutie” del Mar of Cebu City’s north district.