Rama mad at DPWH, contractor for unfinished project

CEBU, Philippines – Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama yesterday blew his top at the Department of Public Works and Highways and its contractor because of the unfinished concreting project along V. Rama Avenue that gave inconvenience to people visiting their departed loved ones in Calamba Cemetery.

Rama lost his temper after seeing abandoned heavy equipment along the road and other materials that pose danger to the public. The mayor said the DPWH and its contractor, PLD Construction, did not follow his instruction.

 “Everyone has complied except DPWH and the contractor. They lack in sensitivity because looking back, we had our agreement that if we will be going towards the celebration, that they should stop and not create any element of worries in terms of security and public safety and traffic,” Rama said.

Calamba Cemetery, one of the busiest cemeteries in the city during All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day, is located along V. Rama Avenue.

Rama said he requested DPWH and its contractor earlier to defer the implementation of the concreting project during the observance of the holidays.

“Kon dili man gani sila mobuhat what we wanted them to do, they better stop this construction after one side being cemented. Kay mo-agi nasad sila sa pikas, and if they are not responsible enough and they are still irresponsible, then they should not be allowed. Then, I will make a declaration of war against them,” he said.

“I have been so mad at them,” Rama added.

Rama said he will make a “very drastic action” on this matter.

“I am going to take an issue about what they are doing here,” he said.

Rama, however, noticed an improvement in the situation during his second visit at the area yesterday.

GENERALLY PEACEFUL

Nevertheless, yesterday’s observance of All Saints’ Day was generally peaceful in Cebu province.

Cebu City Police Office director Senior Superintendent Noli Romana said he was happy with the police deployment. Romana said all police assistance centers were visible to the public.

  “Happy naman tayo sa nakikita nating deployment, ‘yung police assistance desk is very visible. Fair enough and good enough na dumating ang ating additional personnel para sa ating Oplan Kalag-kalag,” he added.

Waterfront Police Station chief, Senior Inspector Wayne Magbanua said, there was no major incident reported in Carreta, the biggest public cemetery in the city, except for the usual confiscation of bladed weapons.

Cebu Provincial Police Office director Senior Superintendent Noel Gillamac said no untoward incidents reported as of press time.

“Except crowded lang gyud ang mga menteryo but still walay problema,” Gillamac said.

Chief Inspector Roseller Paller, CPPO operations deputy chief and area supervisor of Cebu South Bus Terminal, said that everything has been normal at the bus terminal since 6 a.m. yesterday.

‘Way kausaban. Nagpabiling hapsay. Nindot ang dagan sa pag-manage sa mga pasahero,” he said.

 To augment the security in the area, police personnel were deployed in CSBT since Thursday.

Cebu City Traffic Operations Management operations head Jonathan Tumulak said there was no reported traffic congestion yesterday because they have made adjustments based on their experience last year.

“Mas hapsay gyod ta karon compared last year kay mas naka-prepare gyod ta and naka adjust ta,” he said. — with Bryner L. Diaz and Grace Melanie I. Lacamiento/FPL   (FREEMAN)