Council bars dev't along Ban-Tal road

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu City Council wants to impose a “No Development Zone” policy along a portion of Gov. Manuel A. Cuenco Avenue that is up for road widening.

In a resolution passed last Wednesday, the council requested the City Planning and Development Office to impose the “No Development Zone” specifically on the stretch from Mahiga Creek in Banilad, right after Country Mall, to the junction on Cabancalan Road in Barangay Talamban.

Councilor Alvin Arcilla said north district Rep. Rachel “Cutie” del Mar was able to secure P150 million from the regular infrastructure project fund of the Department of Public Works and Highways for the project.

He said he was informed that the budget is already available by DPWH City District Engineer Nicomedes Leonor.

Over P100 million of the fund is allocated for the acquisition of road-right-of-way while the rest is for the drainage system, curbs and gutters and sidewalk.

The road widening is expected to complement the Banilad flyover.

Arcilla said the city’s “No Development Zone” policy will only apply to the actual lot that will be made part of the road.

The council also passed a resolution requesting the DPWH to put up visible markers indicating the affected areas of the proposed road widening for proper guidance of lot owners.

“The volume of vehicular traffic plying the said thoroughfare exceeds the current road capacity especially during peak hours,” the council resolution reads.

“To avoid possible delays in the implementation of the road widening, it is ideal that no further real property development shall be imposed within the entire width of the whole stretch of the proposed road widening project measured at 20 meters-wide,” it added.

Arcilla said the DPWH had finished conducting the parcellary survey.

The road widening will stretch the road to 20 meters from the existing 12 meters to solve the traffic congestion in the area.

For securing funding for the project, Rep. del Mar received commendation from the council.

Arcilla said it is important to let lot owners aware that a portion of their property will be affected so they will not develop it anytime soon only to be demolished later.

“Kabalo naka ang uban mosukol gyud og file og kaso, malangan na nuon ang project. Maayo na lang ni nga makahibaw sila daan nga maapektohan ang ilang property,” Arcilla said.

He said additional development in the area might change the assessment of the lots which might cause further delays.

In a separate resolution, the council asked the Office of the Building Officials to deny any application to build or renovate any structure along the stretch that will be affected by the widening.

Arcilla said during their public consultation in Talamban recently, there has been no opposition. “Everybody understands that this project is necessary.”

“Wala ra man siguro’y problema if we will impose the “No Development Policy” kay uyon ra man ang kasagaran sa widening.”

Arcilla said the traffic in the area is expected to be solved once both sides of the road obtains additional lane. Currently, the road from Mahiga Creek to Cabancalan only has two lanes.

CPDO Chief Engr. Alipio Bacalso said he favors the imposition of “No Development Policy” on the portion of lot that will be affected by the road widening.

He said he will meet with his staff to discuss how they will go about the implementation of the policy.

     “Since it is the resolution from the council, we will respect that. But given the choice to implement it or not, if anyone from the affected group will object, the council will have to hear them in a public hearing,” Bacalso said.

He said the widening is long overdue because there was already a plan before, but did not push through.

Prior to the passage of the resolution though, there is already an existing moratorium against any infrastructure development along Banilad-Talamban Road that was passed by the council during the time of then mayor Tomas Osmeña. — /LPM (FREEMAN)