Bridge repair worries event organizers

CEBU, Philippines - The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) aims to finish the Mactan-Mandaue Bridge repair in two weeks but with fingers crossed.

Maintenance section of DPWH Cebu 6th District Engineering Office chief Eda de Guzman said their target is “more or less two weeks.”

Regional information officer Marie Nillama told The Freeman the project will be finished on time “basta dili mag-ulan o ma-backdown ang equipment.” (If rain doesn’t come and if the equipment won’t stall.)

Apart from the horrible traffic congestion caused by the closure of the bridge’s one lane, local business sector urged the concerned agencies to make sure the project gets done before Cebu hosts a major international investment convention in two weeks.

The 27th Confederation of Asia Pacific Chambers of Commerce and Industry (CACCI) conference will be held in Cebu on March 14 and 15, where business leaders from this global region converge. It is also expected to create more investments considering the economic promise that Cebu possesses.

Before being declared as the venue for the gathering, Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) went through a tough bidding process. And with the bridge repair possibly extending two weeks since the initially set 24-hour works was trimmed to 10PM-6AM slot to avoid unbearable traffic congestion, CCCI worries this might affect the convention and drive off possible investors.

“We are very concerned about the traffic situation at the bridge due to repair works especially during the CACCI conference,” CCCI president Prudencio Gesta told The FREEMAN.

The business leader lauded the quick response of the government following the traffic problems faced on the first day of asphalting.

“We are relieved when the bridge coordinating group has agreed to do the repair from 10pm to 6am. At least, regular traffic flow is expected during daytime. This is a commendable decision of the coordinating bridge management in minimizing heavy traffic situation from/to Cebu-Mactan island. We are pleased to note that we have good LGU officials and government agencies who are sensitive to the reaction of the general public,” Gesta added.

His office will seek assurance from the Mactan Cebu Bridge Management Board (MCBMB) and DPWH that the project will not affect the international convention that CCCI has been preparing for, Gesta said they will seek

“We will make appropriate representation again to ensure that repairs will be completed before the CACCI,” Gesta continued.

While he is “happy” with the decision to have bridge repair works at night, Cebu City Mayor Mike Rama shared Gesta’s sentiments.

“I am happy with that. But what I wish is it should be accelerated para sa umaabot nga international event. Planohon nato ni ug tarong. Dili kay isa ra ka tawo ang muingon nga siya makasulbad. More heads are better than one,” Rama told reporters.

He also emphasized the willingness of the city to extend help to help ease the traffic impact of the bridge repair including helping out in having temporary port for ferries to and from Mactan island.

“Whatever solves the problem, we have to be accommodating,” he added.

Had the second bridge been built not too near the first one, massive traffic congestion could have been avoided in times of repairs like this, the mayor told reporters.

“Had the Marcelo Fernan Bridge been put in Cordova, we would not have experienced such traffic problems. Commuters could go directly to Cordova from Cebu City,” Rama opined.

In Lapu-Lapu, an official said DPWH -7 should consult with the traffic officials before they implement a traffic re-routing plan.

Frank Brazil, the chief of the Lapu-lapu City Traffic Management System (CTMS), said that DPWH should have consulted him and Traffic Enforcement Agency of Mandaue (TEAM) director Edwin Ermac before implementing such move as they are the ones who absorbed the criticisms from the motorists.

“Kami unta ila (DPWH) paminawon, kay kami may mas nasuhito. Kami ra ba maoy mo-absorb sa mga criticism,” Brazil said. (They should have listened to us first because traffic is our area of expertise and we are the ones who get criticized.)

He also suggested that DPWH should also include them in their meetings or consultations so that they can also study whatever possible changes in the flow of traffic in both Mandaue and Lapu-Lapu cities which are very much affected by the bridge repair. He said that he was surprised to notice that most of the vehicles coming from Lapu-Lapu city were the ones stalled at the foot of the Fernan bridge. Most of these vehicles are privately owned.

He adds that traffic congestion started at around 7 am last Monday and Tuesday and needed 15 traffic personnel manning it. He added that he already informed the contractor that there will be two upcoming activities in Lapu-Lapu city this coming April - the “Kadaugan sa Mactan” which will have the Kadaugan street party wherein the city will close part of M.LQuezon highway starting from the foot of the first bridge up to Fernan bridge.

As for Brazil’s counterpart in Mandaue, Ermac yesterday said that traffic has improved in both bridges after the DPWH decided to do the repair in the evening.

However, TEAM insists that the U-turn slot for vehicles coming from Plaridel St. to barangay Paknaan be retained. According to Ermac, deleting the slot would aggravate the traffic congestion at the foot of the Fernan bridge at the corner of Plaridel St. and UN Ave.

Ermac adds that he assigned three traffic enforcers in the critical areas 25/7 on three shifts. — /JPM Jessa Chrisna Marie Agua, Flor Z.Perolina (FREEMAN)