"Politicians should not join public hearing on flyovers"

CEBU, Philippines - Mayor Michael Rama yesterday said politicians should not interfere with the public hearing to be conducted by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in relation to the proposed construction of two flyover projects in barangays Caretta and Camputhaw, Cebu City.

Rama said he himself will not attend the event even if he receives an invitation from DPWH because he wants that only experts on the issue will speak and share their experiences.

But Vice Mayor Joy Augustus Young said he and members of the City Council, who believe that the construction of the flyovers will minimize traffic, are willing to attend the event if invited.

It was reported that Cebu City South District Rep. Tomas R. Osmeña will attend the public hearing on October 28. DPWH Secretary Rogelio Singson will attend the event.

Rama said the mere presence of politicians during the public hearing may affect the real stand of the speakers. “Mahimong maikog man sila nga mosulti unya sa tinuod nilang baruganan. Ang maayo pasagdan lang sila nga mga experts.”

According to the mayor, politicians are not experts in the field of infrastructure projects, except if they are engineers. “Kon pangutan-on sila og mga technical matters moingon ra unya dayon sila nga dili ko makatubag kay dili man ko engineer,” he said.

It was Rama who sent a letter to President Benigno Simeon Aquino III urging him to suspend the implementation of the projects. For him, the proposed projects to be constructed at the corner of M.J. Cuenco and General Maxilom Avenues in barangay Caretta and at the intersection of Gorordo and Archbishop Reyes Avenues in barangay Camputhaw will not totally solve traffic.

The DPWH had announced that it will temporarily suspend the implementation of the P600-million projects pending the outcome of the public hearing. — (FREEMAN)