6 barangays eyed as pilot areas for Road Revolution

CEBU, Philippines - Six barangays in Cebu City are being eyed as pilot areas for the Road Revolution program proposed by the environmentalist group.

Instead of using the Osmeña Boulevard for the emission reduction campaign, Cebu City officials are proposing to use Barangays Sto. Niño, San Roque, Tinago, Pari-an, Tejero and T. Padilla in the experiment.

In a meeting with the Road Revolution organizers headed by lawyer Antonio Oposa, Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama and the members of the City Council said they support the program.

However, the city officials said they are not ready to implement it in a major thoroughfare like Osmeña Boulevard.

Councilor Margot Osmeña then proposed to use the six barangays as pilot areas for the program including Plaza Independencia.

Oposa yesterday sought the passage of a city ordinance to institutionalize the Road Revolution campaign.

They proposed to divide Osmeña Boulevard longitudinally to accommodate bicycle lane, sidewalks, and non-polluting transportation system.

Under their proposal 30 percent of the road shall be allocated for all-weather sidewalks and pathways, 30 percent for bicycle lanes, 30 percent for Filipino-made collective and non-polluting transportation system, and 10 percent for edible gardens.

Rama said he welcomes the move but it has to be studied whether the proposal will be reasonable, fair and feasible.

According to the Mayor, he would want the Heritage site in Pari-an to be the pilot barangay instead of the Osmeña Boulevard. 

The group has submitted more than 10,000 signatures of children and voters who are allegedly supporting their petition.

Oposa cited the Local Government Code provision that gives voters, numbering 100 for municipalities and 1,000 for cities, the power to submit a petition to the local council to propose legislation. (FREEMAN)