One-way traffic at Don Gil Garcia Street

CEBU, Philippines - Traffic officials in Cebu City were compelled to implement yesterday a one-way traffic at Don Gil Garcia Street beside the Cebu Provincial Capitol building even if Mayor Michael Rama is not amenable to it because the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) already started digging half of the road for the widening and concreting project.

Workers of Virlo Construction, the contractor hired by the DPWH to undertake the P28-million road widening and concreting project, has deployed a backhoe to dig the upper part of the asphalted road so they can put cement on it.

M. Velez Street from V. Rama Avenue, including the bridge near Andres Abellana Street, was widened a few years ago but the end portion of M. Velez Street near the Capitol building was not included so this is the portion that is being worked on now.

Only vehicles coming from M. Velez Street are allowed to pass through Don Gil Garcia Street going to downtown area or to make a left turn to Escario Street. Vehicles going to M. Velez Street were directed to pass through the Capitol access road.

Only a few vehicles used the road yesterday, the end of the All Souls’ and All Saints’ Day celebration, but traffic is expected to be heavy in the area when classes start.

Rosario Torres of the City Traffic Operations Management (CITOM) communications center said traffic enforcers have been deployed along the Capitol area to assist the drivers, particularly those going to Guadalupe from Osmeña Boulevard, because they will be directed to make a right turn upon reaching the Capitol, and then left turn to enter the Capitol compound.

Capitol officials allow vehicles to pass through their compound only until 7 o’clock in the evening, prompting CITOM to divert the routes of those vehicles going to Guadalupe to use B. Rodriguez Street then turn right to V. Rama Avenue.

“Among butangan og placards sa Fuente Osmeña nga magpahibalo sa mga motorista nga sirado ang Don Gil Garcia ug way laing maagian nga karsada paingon sa Guadalupe panahon sa gabii gawas lang sa B. Rodriguez Street,” a CITOM enforcer told The FREEMAN.

Construction workers already completed the installation of huge culverts for the drainage system at Don Gil Garcia Street beside the Capitol building.

Meanwhile, the demolition of houses affected by the road widening and concreting project at the end portion of M. Velez Street and Don Gil Garcia Street has yet to be implemented by the Squatters Prevention Encroachment Elimination Division (SPEED) as of yesterday.

The DPWH-Manila allocation of P28 million for the project already included the payment for the road-right-of-way. Families who already received their disturbance fees at P17,000 each were advised to vacate their areas. - THE FREEMAN