The J. Luna fly-over, the 3rd to be built in Cebu: Residents, traders buck P86M fly-over project

Residents and business establishments along Juan Luna Street in barangay Mabolo yesterday expressed their opposition to the proposed construction of the P86-million fly-over structure in the area.

The proposed fly-over at the junction of J. Luna Street (formerly San Jose dela Montaña) and F. Cabahug Street, linking the Ayala Access Road, will be the third to be built in Cebu City out of six fly-over structures that Rep. Raul del Mar (Cebu City, north dist.) has proposed.

The affected people wrote Rep. del Mar asking him to reconsider the implementation of the project in the area suggesting instead to have it moved farther to an area where it is most needed. They said it would be useless because traffic congestion has never been a problem in their area.

Mitos Teves, one of the residents, said if the project has been aimed at easing traffic, then it should be built at the intersection of J. Luna and M.J. Cuenco Avenue, fronting Mabolo church, where traffic has been always heavy.

Teves however expressed disappointment over the failure of the project proponents to consult the affected people in the place before the project bid. It seems nobody could stop its implementation now when the bid was already awarded and a traffic re-routing scheme is already set, she said.

The opposition was raised in yesterday's public consultation at the Department of Public Works and Highways where establishments' owners also feared the project construction will severely affect their businesses.

Del Mar assured the residents their concerns would be considered before implementing the project, adding the purpose of the consultation was to get their sentiments to help determine if the project is needed or not.

"You can convince us that your side is the prevailing side but if the need for it (project) is established, it should go on," the congressman said.

DPWH officials presented to the people the project plan and the re-routing scheme to be implemented throughout the construction period.

DPWH-7 regional director Roberto Lala said the project, with estimated cost of P86.68-million, was supposed to start five years ago but insufficiency of funds had it deferred. "This is a long overdue project," he said.

Lala said the project will be finished in six or seven months this year, in time for the holding of the Association of Southeast Asian Nation's Summit here in December.

Danilo Pasicaran said the re-routing scheme is for public utility vehicles, as private cars will still be allowed to pass by the road because the construction will be done on stages. - Wenna A. Berondo