Centcom road to be opened to motorists

CEBU, Philippines - Governor Gwendolyn Garcia will be recommending the opening of the access road of the Central Command Headquarters, Camp Lapu-Lapu in Lahug, Cebu City, to privately-owned vehicles coming to and from the Banilad-Talamban areas.

Garcia yesterday met with Brigadier Gen. Alejandro Estomo, Centcom deputy commander, and Cebu City Traffic Operations and Management chairman Sylvan “Jack” Jakosalem to discuss the matter.

Jakosalem said there was a request from Mayor Michael Rama to Centcom to open the access road to motorists at a certain times to decongest traffic in the Banilad-Talamban area.

But he said the road belongs to the provincial government prompting him to consult the governor.

“I thought that I should also heed the clamor of the public by making the representation to Centcom authorities,” Garcia said.

She said that the provincial government will strongly recommend the opening of the road inside the camp.

In a meeting yesterday, it was agreed that CITOM would write a formal letter to the province asking for the intercession of the governor.

Garcia said she will also be writing to the general headquarters of the Armed Forces of the Philippines attaching the letter from CITOM.

Estomo told her the decision cannot be made on their level.

Garcia said that she will recommend for the opening of the road from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. still subject to existing rules of the camp.

“In the spirit of cooperation with the city, we would also do what we can to help in the traffic congestion problems that they are now experiencing in the Banilad-Talamban area,” Garcia said. (FREEMAN NEWS)