Council: DPWH should not repair roads simultaneously

CEBU, Philippines - The Mandaue City council is contemplating on passing a resolution asking the Department of Public Works and Highways to refrain from implementing major road projects simultaneously.

During the media launch of the city fiesta last Friday, Vice Mayor Glenn Bercede told reporters the council will pass a resolution asking DPWH-7 not to implement road projects all together.

Bercede said that he and some of the members of the city council have come up with a decision to pass the said resolution after the city received numerous complaints on the massive traffic brought about by the five major road projects which are now being implemented in the city.

The ongoing repair of five major thoroughfares reportedly leaves motorists without a better alternative route.

However, in a separate interview with City Councilor Jimmy Lumapas, the chairman of the committee on roads and infrastructure, he has yet to consult with Mayor Jonas Cortes before drafting the resolution, saying the council's plan might also contradict the earlier statement of the mayor.

"Mokuha sa ta sa stand sa mayor before ta mogama og resolution kay gikalipay sad baya ni niya nga mga projects," Lumapas said.

The  city is a recipient of P221 million road projects from the national government which the Sixth District Engineering Office is currently implementing. These include rehabilitating A.S. Fortuna Street, Hernan Cortes Street, M.L. Quezon Street, Ouano Avenue and Plaridel Street.

Except for Ouano Avenue, the rest will undergo repair for up to 360 days. The agency is also retrofitting the Maguikay flyover.

Earlier, assistant district engineer Renult Ricardo said the projects had to be implemented simultaneously so these can be completed before the start of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) Summit next year. Some of the meetings during the summit will be held in Metro Cebu.

Meanwhile, traffic in Mandaue is expected to worsen in the next two months as the city celebrates its fiesta. With various cultural activities, the city dubbed the celebration its "Mid-year Cultural Summit."

Cortes, in last Friday's press conference, appealed to the public to bear with the inconvenience.