Banilad Flyover Project: Only one lot owner refused to sign contract with DPWH

Thirty-three of the 34 lot owners along Governor Mariano Cuenco Avenue have signed a contract with the Department of Public Works and Highways, which signified their consent for the agency and/or the contractor of the Banilad-Talamban flyover project to access their properties.

This according to a report by the City Council’s Ad-Hoc Committee for the flyover project, which quoted DWPH-7 lawyer Agustinito Hermoso as saying that except one, the rest of the lot owners have signed a contract with DPWH as of yesterday. 

Likewise, Hermoso also reportedly said DWPH-7 already has the P80 million additional funding that would be used to pay the owners whose properties would be utilized for the road right of way of the flyover.

While WTG Construction, the contractor of the project, said they have not yet received any official authority from the lot owners, Hermoso reportedly said that such authority is stipulated in the contract the owners signed with DPWH.

The contracts have reportedly been forwarded to DPWH-7 director Josefino Rigor for his signature and that the lot owners will start receiving payment after one month.

“With the information given by Atty. Hermoso today that the lot owners have already signed the contracts, the WTG would soon, hopefully this week, gain access to these properties and begin the road widening,” the report reads.

Two weeks ago, the Department of Budget and Management forwarded to DPWH a total of P120 million for the acquisition of properties for the road right of way, dispelling fears by the contractor that it may have to fully close Governor Mariano Cuenco Ave. to complete the flyover in the event the lots for the road right of way could not be acquired this month. 

WTG Construction aims to finish the flyover by next month, four months earlier than the original working deadline.

According to Cebu City North District Rep. Raul del Mar, the P120 million funds were reportedly released upon instructions of President Arroyo.

Meanwhile, the Council’s Ad-Hoc Committee has called on the City Traffic Operations Management to strictly enforce regulations on pedestrian crossing, as many pedestrians reportedly continue to violate them along the long stretch of Gov. Mariano Cuenco Ave., thereby contributing to the already heavy traffic in the area.

Before the P120 million was released, P34 million from DPWH’s own budget was released straight to the contractor for the commencement of the project.

Project engineer Christopher Semilla of WTG had said the “peak of work” on the flyover would be next month but he assured that heavy equipment would be brought to the site only at night so as not to inconvenience the public during the day.

Three weeks ago, WTG Construction implemented a 24-hour work schedule with 50 crewmen working in shifts.

The 390-meter flyover stretches from near the Banilad Town Center up to the Llama Construction Building along Gov. Mariano Cuenco Ave.

Construction of the flyover was supposed to start November last year but was postponed until February this year after the initial budget was not enough to cover the expenses especially for the purchase of the road right of way.  — Joeberth M. Ocao/MEEV