Road closure near Basilica proposed

CEBU, Philippines - The Commission on Augustinian Cultural Heritage and the rector of the Basilica del Sto. Niño are asking the Cebu City Council to declare as “pedestrian street” the portion of Osmeña Boulevard along the century-old Basilica.

Basilica Rector Fr. Jonas Mejares explained to the Council yesterday that the declaration – which would entail preventing vehicles from passing the portion of the road – would ensure that the foundation of the historical church would remain strong. 

The measure is being supported by Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella.

Mejares told the Council that the dust and vibration on the road caused by vehicles passing along Osmeña Boulevard can contribute to the deterioration of the church’s façade, which is made of coral stones.

“Maintenance, conservation or preservation of this priceless heritage is a never ending struggle against its material deterioration due to vehicular emissions and vibrations caused by passing vehicles, which cumulatively be detrimental to its over-all integrity,” Mejares said.

“Due to the deterioration of the basilica, closure of the street must be a permanent one,” he stressed.

Architect Melva Rodriguez-Java agreed with Mejares, saying vehicular emission and vibration caused by heavy traffic had visible effects on the architectural and structural firmness of the church.

Councilor Gerardo Carillo said, however, that many would be affected if the portion of the road will be closed permanently to vehicle traffic.

But Labella proposed that delivery trucks that carry supplies for food chains in the area can use either Zamora or Legaspi Streets.

“They do not deliver and unload goods sa Osmeña blvd, I’m very familiar of that,” he said.

Asked if it is possible to set a compromise and open the area at certain hours of the day, Mejares said, “I don’t know how it will further affect the Basilica.”

Java said light vehicles may enter but heavy trucks are prohibited and the heritage area must be buffer zone based on the guidelines of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) on the policies and standards for the conservation of heritage zones, among others.

In 2005, Java was part of the team under the National Historical Institute that reinstalled the coral stone blocks and fragments that had pried loose. She said they’ve seen dirt and grime that again built up on the wall of the church and new fissures in the front façade and in the belfry.

The belfry, Java said, the most vulnerable in the face of a natural calamity, was destroyed to ruble after the 7.2 magnitude earthquake jolted Cebu and Bohol provinces last October, 15, 2013.

“The areas (along Osmeña blvd) have taken severe beatings form the chemical compounds emitted by cars and the incessant vibrations form vehicular traffic. The well-protected walls of the monastery facing the Colegio Del Santo Niño are much cleaner with hardly any evidence of major cracks or stone fragmentation,” she explained.

Sto. Niño Barangay Captain Pancho Ramirez, however, opposed the move, saying it is unnecessary and would not be beneficial to many.

“Nahugno ang belfry tungod sa linog dili tungod sa mga sakyanan diha.kay kung i-close na diha permanently daghang ang maapektuhan,” Ramirez said.

For his part, City Traffic Operations Management (CITOM) Executive Director Rafael Yap said, “There is a need for a comprehensive planning design for the pedestrianization of downtown prior to implementing any actions towards to that effect, the need for consultation to owners and other stakeholders and the closure (of the road) is not proper response to the danger being described.”

He added that “any implementation of pedestrianization initiatives in downtown proper planning is needed to outline the policies and actions to the vision of a pedestrianized downtown.”

Preserving the Basilica is important, he said, but managing the social and economic impact should be the priority of the city government.

“Considering the central character of downtown, a total closure of Osmeña Boulevard without comprehensive planning and study will have many ramifications to the city as a whole,” he said. – (FREEMAN)