Profiling of residents affected by road project pushed

CEBU, Philippines —  Cebu City Councilor Jerry Guardo has requested the Division for the Welfare of the Urban Poor (DWUP) to conduct a socio-economic survey or profiling of the residents who will be affected by the road opening in Barangays Sambag 1 and 2.

“The start of the construction is expected this year in Sambag 1 and the portion in Sambag 2 will follow once the entire 1 kilometer stretch of the access road is cleared from informal settlers and the portion of the private property that will be affected will be expropriation to pave the way for the road connection,” said Guardo in a privilege speech on Wednesday.

With the road opening, there will be a road widening at MH Aznar and TB Pavilion Streets. Guardo requested the officials of the two barangays to look for a property for the construction of a medium-rise building as possible relocation site for the affected families.

Guardo said the proposed road opening in Barangay Sambag 2 was already long overdue. It started during the incumbency of then barangay captain and former councilor Noel Wenceslao.

The city government’s plan is to open a parallel road to Osmeña Boulevard that will connect MH Aznar Road traversing toward TB Pavilion then exit to B. Rodriguez Street.

Guardo believes this project will be beneficial to the residents of the two barangays, particularly to students of the universities located in the area. He added this will likewise address the accessibility in times of disaster and emergency response.

Guardo said they are now on the planning stage for the proposed project after Mayor Edgardo Labella gave his approval to proceed.

Two weeks ago, the councilor together with Barangay Sambag 2 captain Ryan Aznar and Wenceslao met with the heir of the Chuachoy family, owner of the private lot which the roads will connect.

He said they expressed willingness to apportion their property for the said road project. Guardo requested the Office of the Mayor to negotiate for the donation of the private property affected by the project.

In his privilege speech, Guardo also requested the Department of Engineering and Public Works to prepare a Program of Works and Estimate for the connection road and the Survey Division to conduct a geodetic survey.

“The Department of Engineering and Public Works shared that a budget is already being set aside for the construction works for the concreting of these roads with drainage and road widening component,” said Guardo. —   FPL (FREEMAN)