Rama to meet officials today over failed pact

CEBU, Philippines - Mayor Michael Rama will meet with officials of Barangay Calamba, San Nicolas Police, Department of Engineering and Public Works, and the Cebu City Traffic Operations Management in relation to the ongoing construction in the barangay.

To recall, Rama blew his top Saturday upon learning that PLD Construction has not suspended the construction despite the observance of All Saints Day. The mayor also aimed his tirade at DPWH for failing to enforce a directive to suspend all construction works near cemeteries such as the one in Calamba that could potentially impede the flow of traffic.

Rama said the concreting project along V. Rama Avenue had inconvenienced those who visited the Calamba Cemetery, one of the most crowded every November 1 and 2.

He said today’s meeting will help him determine what action to take against the “insensitive” DPWH and PLD Construction.

“Tubagon pa to nila (DPWH and PLD Construction) nganong nahitabo to. Sa akong side, I still have to check why it happened,” Rama said.

He said that they conducted several meetings prior to All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day purposely to come up with a traffic plan.

“We actually agreed in our meetings pero wala gibuhat. Dapat motubag sila kay ang ilang responsibility wala gibuhat leaving the mayor at 3 a.m. para mohimo sa ilang responsibility,” Rama said.

DPWH-7 Construction Division Engineer Joselito Sayson said the regional office has actually instructed the project engineer and the contractor to implement the traffic plan.

“Ato gyod na silang gihatagan og instruction nga i-hold ang project kay kahibaw man ta nga busy kaayo dihang dapita. In fact, daghan atong projects nga duol sa cemetery atong gipahunong gyod,” he said.

Sayson said he will call the attention of the project engineer and the contractor to explain the matter. — Jean Marvette A. Demecillo/JMO (FREEMAN)