CEBU, Philippines — The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)-7 has formed a technical working group that will cater to requests of Cebu City for several development projects.
Newly appointed DPWH-7 Director Ernesto Gregorio, Jr. said he decided to form the group as he saw the urgent need to address the city’s requests.
“As we pledged with the mayor, DPWH will continue to cooperate and coordinate with the City Government in realizing all the development plan relative to its urban renewal. So, we will move mountains if we can do that. But still, we are praying that we can do all this development together with the City,” Gregorio said, as quoted by the city’s public information office.
Mayor Michael Rama asked for DPWH’s help on several undertakings, including the implementation of three-meter easements in the city’s waterways.
Rama said it is important that river easements be cleared, especially of illegal structures, to prevent people being put at risk when the water rises during heavy rains.
“We have to make it faster; nine years make it three years; three years in removing them from the three-meter easement, we must make it in six months,” Rama said, as quoted also by the city PIO.
Another request Rama made to DPWH is for the city’s streets to be asphalted as preparation for the return of the Sinulog Festival in 2023.
Rama also asked DWPH to remove the flyover on Vestil road in Barangay Mambaling and replace it with a tunnel that will lead to South Road Properties (SRP). –b