Most lot owners still unpaid

CEBU, Philippines - The Capitol has so far paid only one of 26 lot owners whose lots will be affected by the road widening plan for the Tayud-Consolacion-Liloan Road Project.

Provincial Engineering Office OIC Hector Jamora said that they are currently processing checks to be issued after lot owners were assured that they will be paid.

Last week, Acting Governor Agnes Magpale said that the Department of Public Works and Highways-7 has not pushed through yet with the expansion and upgrading of the Tayud-Consolacion-Liloan Road since the lot owners have not been paid.

The lot owners are reportedly hesitant to sign the final papers, unless they are shown the checks for payment.  But Magpale earlier said that this would not be possible since they need the papers as basis to process the checks.  They decided that they would come up with vouchers instead.

During their meeting with the Metro Cebu Bridge Management Board last Wednesday, Jamora reported that they are processing 10 checks and negotiating for 15 more.

Of the 27 structures that will be affected by the road widening project, Jamora said that payment for owners of two structures are already being processed.

DPWH-7 Regional Director Ador Canlas reminded the provincial government during the meeting that the budget for the project still comes from the 2009 funding which means that they have to use it for the project already, or else it may be reverted.

If this happens, Canlas said that getting the same amount for the project may already be difficult and may cause more delays.

Suspended Governor Gwendolyn Garcia assured in 2011 that the provincial government will pay owners of lots that will be affected by the road widening.  Prior to that, DPWH said they cannot use the allocated P150 million road right-of-way acquisition fund since the Tayud-Consolacion-Liloan Road is a provincial road.

Canlas asked the Capitol to update them so they can proceed with the expansion plans once everything is settled.

The expansion project is needed since roads along the municipalities of Consolacion and Liloan are narrow. Once completed, the two-lane road will be expanded to four lanes which would fully utilize the potential of the Cansaga Bay Bridge at the North Cebu Coastal Road.

Canlas stressed that they need to start on the project so they can also attend to projects pending in the south.   (FREEMAN)