Sec. Singson coming to settle flyover row

CEBU, Philippines - Department of Public Works and Highways Secretary Rogelio L. Singson will be in Cebu City anytime next month to assist in the resolution of the vehicle overpass (flyover) issue, Mayor Michael Rama said.

But the mayor said he wishes that the secretary will decide on the matter technically and on the basis of social acceptability rather than politically.

“I told them discuss with the academe, the technical people. I wish they will not decide on this matter politically because I’ve always been telling this is a technical matter. Let this matter be technically assessed,” Rama said.

He was satisfied with his meeting with President Benigno Aquino III last Monday along with other officials like Cebu City North District Representative Rachel “Cutie” del Mar and he said his understanding of the gesture of the President is that he is more inclined with road widening and the creation of a master plan.

Rama clarified that he has not closed the possibility of a flyover in the city but he said it should be allowed in Cebu only if it is backed by a “thorough” and “brilliant” study such as a master plan.

Rama said he has told Singson and Department of Transportation and Communication Secretary Manuel Roxas II to sit down with the experts on planning and engineering in Cebu after many from the private sector expressed willingness to shell out millions for the conduct of a comprehensive master plan for traffic.

He said he also invited national officials in Cebu to see for themselves how the other flyovers have caused traffic and inconvenience to the public which is the opposite of what it is intended for.

Meanwhile, flyover proponents yesterday found an ally with former Cebu City South District Rep. Antonio Cuenco.

Cuenco said he supports del Mar because he knew how hard for the congresswoman to secure as much as P600 million to fund the particular project.

“I am supporting Cutie and her desire to build that flyover because she thinks, she honestly thinks that it will solve traffic,” Cuenco said. – (FREEMAN)