Urban planners offer help for third bridge

CEBU, Philippines - A group of urban planners, engineers and architects offered help in developing the resurrected plan to construct Cebu’s third bridge.

Movement for a Livable Cebu (MLC), a civil society organization initially formed in opposition to several flyover projects in Cebu City, recently branched out its advocacy for “holistic livability” that Cebuanos deserve.

MLC lead convenor Marc Canton was pleased after hearing Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama mention the proposed third bridge during Monday’s candidates’ forum at Cebu Cultural Center.

“Actually I heard about the proposal at the candidates forum and that means so much. We’re always looking for solution to ease traffic in Cebu City,” Canton told reporters.

Should the proposal push through, he added, commuters from the south heading for Mactan island including Lapulapu city and Cordova town will no longer pass through Mandaue City, easing traffic congestion in the metropolis.

“As mentioned by the mayor, the bridge will be accessed via V. Rama passing through Shell island (fronting South Road Properties). One third of the population will now have an alternative route,” Canton said, adding that this will greatly help informal settlers in alleviating their economic capacity

as employment and trade will grow as soon as the bridge gets operational.

Rama, in a separate press briefing, expressed delight over the group’s offer.

“Wow. Very good. I know urban planners who are members of MLC. The group has been very enthusiastic in helping out local government units on how to deal with certain concerns,” the mayor told reporters.

He revealed that there have been talks with the group as well as fellow mayor Adelino Sitoy on the proposed bridge connecting Cebu City and Cordova town.

“We discussed the matter with these urban planners, engineers, and architects. But I do not want to reveal it for now. I also had about three or four meetings with Mayor Sitoy on the matter,” Rama said. He added there has been no formal feasibility study on the planned infrastructure.

While Canton was not certain about the presence of feasibility study, he however confirmed that MLC convenors and members who are experts on infrastructure have been meeting and discussing the project.

“I dont know the details, I just heard about it. Some of the urban planners around me have been discussing plans. So it is possible that there have already been studies. They are also meeting with mayor Rama,” the MLC convenor stressed.

Canton reiterated that their group has been open to extending technical assistance to local government units and even the Department of Public Works and Highways in planning for infrastructure projects in Cebu.

“Our offer is open since October 2011. We have been having meetings with government officials. We have urban planners, engineers, architects. DPWH asked and we have helped. We are a member of the MCDCB (Metro Cebu Development Council Board). With 13 LGUs working with us, we are actually helping,” he said, negating President Benigno Aquino’s statement during the Liberal Party rally in Cebu.

Aquino complained that those opposing flyovers have not provided alternatives for government to explore.

Canton said apart from another bridge, their group is also supporting the plan to have underwater tunnel still connecting Cordova and Cebu City, but warned it could be more expensive. – (FREEMAN)