Rama on DPWH flyover endorsement: It's disgusting

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama expressed disgust over the Department of Public Works and Highways-7 for recommending the implementation of two flyover projects worth P330 million on Juan Luna Avenue in Barangay Mabolo without the concurrence of the Local Development Council (LDC).

Rama who chairs the Regional Development Council (RDC) called for a meeting with Central Visayas congressmen yesterday to discuss the progress of the RDC-endorsed projects in their respective districts and the projects that are proposed to be implemented in their areas next year.

Cebu City North District Rep. Rachel “Cutie” Del Mar and South District Rep. Tomas R. Osmeña did not attend the meeting.

Yesterday’s agenda showed that RDC has endorsed the P60 million improvement project of Salinas Drive corner Governor Mariano Cuenco Ave. in Banilad and the P200 million road concreting project of the Banilad-Talamban Road.

But Rama was surprised to see in the agenda that the proposed flyover projects at Juan Luna corner M.J. Cuenco Avenues and at Juan Luna corner Cardinal Rosales Avenues have been endorsed by the RDC for implementation.

Nicomedes Leonor, DPWH District Engineer for Cebu City, denied he recommended the implementation of the two flyovers projects.

He explained that implementation of infrastructure projects above P50 million is no longer under his office.

But he recalled that the projects were among those recommended by the City Traffic Operations Management (CITOM) during the stint of then Chairman Valeriano “Bobit” Avila more than 10 years ago.

Manny Rabacal, chairman of the RDC’s Infrastructure and Utilities Committee (IUC), also denied his committee has endorsed the project.

 “We are not against flyover projects but we should comply with the rules,” Rabacal said.

Rama said he will write to DPWH Secretary Rogelio Singson to inform him that the flyover projects recommended for implementation by DPWH 7did not get LDC endorsement.

Rama chairs the Local Development Council in Cebu City.

He has been vocal against the construction of more flyovers in the city because he believes that road widening is the solution to the city’s traffic problem.

Rama even asked President Benigno Aquino III to stop the construction of the two proposed flyovers along General Maxilom corner M.J. Cuenco Avenue in Barangay Carreta and along Gorordo corner Archbishop Reyes Avenues in Barangay Camputhaw.

Because of Rama’s intervention, the implementation of these projects was put on hold.

—/MBG (FREEMAN)