Mayor, VM clash on traffic scheme at Capitol area

CEBU, Philippines - Mayor Michael Rama and Vice Mayor Joy Augustus Young have opposite opinions on what to do with vehicle traffic on road beside the Provincial Capitol, which is the end part of M. Velez Street and part of Don Gil Garcia Street.

When one is facing the Capitol, the subject road is the one on the left that motorists take in going to the main M. Velez Street towards Barangay Guadalupe.

Young is supporting the recommendation of Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Cebu City district engineer Nicomedes Leonor to implement a one-way traffic scheme to speed up the road widening project thereat.

Leonor said the road widening project is going slow because the contractor hired by DPWH can only work from 9pm to 9am the following day, as provided by the City Traffic Operations Management (CITOM).

Leonor said that if a one-way traffic scheme will be implemented at the area, other vehicles going to or coming from Guadalupe can pass B. Rodriguez Street.

Young said he wants to discuss the matter with CITOM Chairman Sylvan Jako-salem, as the latter earlier expressed opposition to the recommendation to close the roads or to implement a one-way traffic scheme.

But Rama does not agree with Leonor’s plan. He said the proposal has to be approved by the agencies concerned, including the provincial government.

“Kinahanglang mitingan g’yud na og maayo ug apilon nato sa miting ang gobernador,” Rama said yesterday.

At present, with the ongoing road widening project, motorists experience heavy traffic congestions at the area, particularly during peak hours in the morning, afternoon and early evening.

Personnel of Virlo Construction are installing huge culverts along Don Gil Garcia Street beside the Capitol building. Leonor said they will construct a six-lane road at the end portion of M. Velez Street going to Don Gil Garcia Street.

The DPWH central office allocated P28 million for the widening project, including payment for the road right-of-way. Leonor said DPWH already paid the owners of many of the 76 houses that will be affected.

Rama said he is amenable to Leonor’s recommendation to hire the services of the Squatters Prevention Encroachment Elimination Division (SPEED) in removing the houses of occupants along the roadside who have already received their disturbance fees from DPWH. (FREEMAN)