Fate of projects puzzles Rama

CEBU, Philippines - With major activities fast approaching in Cebu City, Mayor Michael Rama is now wondering about the fate of the P200-million infrastructure projects for the city from the Department of Public Works and Highways.

“Where’s my P200 million road projects?” asked Rama, throwing the question to DPWH Secretary Rogelio Singson.

Rama said Singson was supposed to visit Cebu City this week, but lamented that the DPWH secretary did not push through.

Rama said he was earlier told that P200 million worth of infrastructure projects will be poured in the city in preparation for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit in 2015 and the International Eucharistic Congress in 2016.

Cebu City will be hosting both international events.

Cebu City Traffic Operations Management, meanwhile, is asking DPWH to prioritize the widening of Gov. Mariano Cuenco Avenue in its 2015 budget.

In a letter endorsed to DPWH-7 Director Ador Canlas, CITOM chair Rafael Yap said the said road experiences severe traffic congestion due to its lack of road space.

Gov. Mariano Cuenco Avenue is the only road in Cebu City that links the northern barangays of Banilad, Talamban, Pit-os, San Jose and Bacayan to the neighboring barangays of Mandaue City, according to CITOM.

“The widening of Gov. Mariano Cuenco Avenue would greatly ease the traffic situation by providing more road space to accommodate vehicular traffic,” Yap’s letter read.

Yap said that establishments along the road, which have anticipated the widening, have stepped back from their property line to minimize displacement.

CITOM has also re-commended the flaring of intersection above the said area “for a better traffic management plan.”

It is also requesting the City Council to prioritize the widening of Tres de Abril Street in the 2015 supplemental budget.

Yap said widening Tres de Abril Street from A. Lopez Street to F. Llamas Street would ease traffic congestion.

The said road links the city’s southern barangays of Punta Princesa, Basak-San Nicolas, Basak-Pardo, Quiot and Poblacion-Pardo.

In addition, CITOM also recommended including in the budget a rotunda-type vehicular movement along Tres de Abril – F. Llamas – Sabellano intersection.

Mayor Rama said though that CITOM should check first if Tres de Abril is a national road or not.

If it’s a national road, the widening expenses should be shouldered by DPWH, said Rama. —/JMD (FREEMAN)