Jakosalem pushes for opening of Fuente access road

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu City Traffic Operations Management chairman Sylvan “Jack” Jakosalem said he will personally request Governor Gwendolyn Garcia to permanently open the access road that links Don Mariano Cui St. to the Fuente Osmeña rotunda.

Garcia temporarily allowed the reopening of the 300-meter road that passes by the provincial property from the vicinity of Chong Hua Hospital to the rotunda because of the Sinulog activities.

But the reopening of the road did not contribute so much to decongest traffic problem in the area because Fuente Osmeña has been closed to traffic since Sunday.

“Akong hangyoon ang governor nga buksan na lang g’yud na nga maong karsada,” said Jakosalem.

If the access road is permanently opened, vehicles from Don Mariano Cui St. can use it in going to Fuente Osmeña unlike now that the motorists from the vicinity of Chong Hua Hospital have to use F. Llorente St. and turn right to Don Gil Garcia St. if they want to proceed to the rotunda.

Vehicles coming from Mariano Cui St. are not allowed to turn left turn to the rotunda when they reach B. Rodriguez St.

That short road has been closed more than two years ago upon the order of the governor after the city government during the previous administration when the city stopped the construction of the Ciudad Project of the province in Barangay Banilad.

The governor’s order for the closure of the access road fueled heated misunderstanding between former mayor Tomas Osmeña.

Jakosalem said the permanent reopening of the road will really help minimize traffic congestion along the area.

“Dako kaayo ang chances nga mosugot ang governor nga ablihan na lang g’yud ang maong karsada kay maayo na man ang relasyon karon sa mga opisyal sa Cebu City ug Province,” he said. 

Last year a trailer of the Province of Cebu that was parked within the vicinity of the province-owned lot was towed by the traffic authorities for violating the parking prohibition in that area.

But last December 31, Rama and Garcia met to talk about the issues involving the province-owned lots in the city.

Rama, however, said the discussion did not involve the issue that the city will allow the Ciudad Project in Banilad unless the traffic officials and the Department of Public Works and Highways will assure that it will not worsen traffic in that area. –/BRP   (FREEMAN NEWS)