DPWH secretary meets with anti-flyover group

CEBU, Philippines - The frontrunners of the group against flyovers in Cebu City were granted an hour-long meeting with Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Rogelio Singson yesterday afternoon to discuss their concerns about the proposed flyovers along M.J. Cuenco Avenue and Arch. Reyes and the Gorordo Avenue intersection.

The group went home with smiling faces after they got the assurance of the secretary that a comprehensive study will be conducted before the DPWH revives the proposal.

The projects are being held in abeyance after different groups, including the City Traffic Operations Management, raised various concerns on the alleged negative impact of the flyovers.

In a text message, Environmental Lawyer Gloria Estenzo-Ramos relayed the news she got from Joel Lee of the Movement for Livable Cebu, formerly the Stop Cebu Flyovers Movement, who said that Secretary Singson “assured the group that DPWH is keen on ensuring that projects for implementation are backed up by comprehensive studies.”

Singson also promised to find time to visit Cebu next month to hear further the people’s sentiments.

“The group was happy to have been given the opportunity to discuss the impact of the proposed flyovers and stressed the need for a master plan,” Ramos said in a text message. Also present during their meeting were DPWH Undersecretary Romeo Momo and Assistant Secretary Emil Sadain.

The Cebu delegation who visited DWPH officials were Lee, representatives from Collegio dela Inmaculada Concepcion and Perpetual Succuor, land use planner architect Michael “Yumi” Espina, Engr. Jun Sanchez of the Banilad-Talamban Task Force, environmental urban planner Archt. Joy Martinez, UP College of Architecture Dean Ann Espina, Bunny Pages of the business sector and Anya Lim of the youth sector. — (FREEMAN)