SM asks Cebu City: Where are the SRP road projects?

CEBU, Philippines - Despite the urgency, the Cebu City government has yet to implement road networks and expansion projects at the South Road Properties  that are vital in the opening of SM Seaside (SMSS) Complex September next year.

The delay prompted SM Prime Holdings Inc. to write Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella asking the city government on what is it intends to do about the situation.

“May we know the plan of the City to complete these projects to support all the existing and future locators of the SRP and to serve the needs of the public,” said Sherry Tuvilla, SM Supermalls Visayas region operations manager. 

Last Wednesday, the City Council referred the letter to the committee on laws and set a public hearing on June 25 for members to deliberate on the matter.

Tuvilla reminded the city that completion of commercial and interior roads as well as widening of the Mambaling road have not been undertaken yet at the SRP.

“With the opening of the mall, we are expecting significant impact on traffic and accessibility at SRP. Relative to this, we are concerned on the present condition of the commercial road and the interior road adjacent to the SMSS Complex as well as the narrow span of the Mambaling road,” she said in her letter.

The Department of Public Works and Highways-7 is eyeing to widen the Mambaling access road from just four lanes to either a six- or eight-lane thoroughfare.

However, the agency awaits the result of the feasibility study conducted by the Community Economic Development Cooperation (CEDCO) of Ohio whether to have more lanes or instead have an underpass  to achieve smoother traffic flow.

Tuvilla said “completion and accessibility” of the roads before the second quarter next year would have multiplier effects to the city and the public.

An expanded road network, she said, would improve traffic flow at the SRP, particularly the decongestion of the coastal and Mambaling roads.

SM recently proposed a High Quality Public Transport Service (HQPTS) as interim transport service at the SRP since the proposed Bus Rapid Transit is yet to be finalized.

Under the HQPTS, buses that can accommodate 70 passengers, with 30 percent less carbon dioxide emission and 90 percent less particulate emission than that of a Euro 1 bus, an urban-class bus using a standard European Diesel Fuel with 330  parts per million  of sulfur content, would be used.

Tuvilla said the transport system, which she described as “safe, comfortable and environment-friendly,” is now being used in Fort Bonifacio in Manila.

Aside from the committee on laws, her letter was also referred to the council’s committee on infrastructure and information technology, the committee on transportation, the SRP Management Office, the City Planning Office, and the City Engineer’s Office, for appropriate action. (FREEMAN)