City to spend P234M to restore sidewalks

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu City government is eyeing to rehabilitate the sidewalks of 10 roads, a project that would cost the city P234.1 million.

The streets are identified as J. Alcantara Street (from the corner of N. Bacalso Avenue to V. Rama Avenue), Don. Pedro Cui St. (from the corner of P. del Rosario Street to RR Landon Street), V. Urgello Street (from the corner of Osmeña Boulevard to J. Urgello Street), Sikatuna Street (from the corner of D. Jakosalem Street to Zamora Street), P. Calomarde St. (from the corner of Gorordo Avenue to Apitong Street).

T. Padilla Extension (from the corner of MJ Cuenco Avenue to S. Osmeña Avenue), Don Mariano Cui St. (from the corner of B. Rodriquez Street to N. Escario Street), Lakandula Street (from the corner of Tres de Abril Street to C. Padilla Street), V. Ranudo Street (from F. Ramos Street to D. Jakosalem Street) and C. Mina Street (from the corner of MJ Cuenco Avenue to San Roque Street).

The cost is for rehabilitation (P33.8 million) of sidewalks and P200.3 million for the acquisition of affected lots and structures. Cost for the lot was pegged at P25,000 per square, depending on the size and location.

The city’s Department of Engineering and Public Works said the total length of the sidewalks to be established is 5,342 square meters.

 Once the budget is approved, however, the length will be extended to 8,013 square meters. The sidewalks would be 1.5 meters in width, which is the standard for urban sidewalks.

Architect Eleazar Lipang, acting division head of the DEPW Planning Division, said those streets were identified because of their lack of proper sidewalks, which needed to be restored.

This was the case despite the existence of City Ordinance 1656 (Zoning Ordinance of Cebu City), which set the required length and width of a sidewalk.

Lipang cited J. Alcantara Street, which only has eight meters in actual length compared to the mandated 15 meters. Also, P. Calomarde Street is only 4 meters in length of the supposed 10 meters.

City Engineer Atty. Jose Marie Poblete said the sidewalks have to be restored to prevent any vehicular and road accidents.

“There should be sidewalks especially in the urban areas, where traffic will mostly form will be prioritized,” he said adding that the sidewalks are based on geometric design. —(FREEMAN)