Readers also complain vs DPWH!

We've been hammering on the Department of Public Works & Highways on their road projects in Mandaue City in this corner many times already and I got a lot of comments from friends who alerted me that there are still more roads that I failed to mention. Apparently DPWH is also working on M.L. Quezon Ave., which is a parallel road to A.S. Fortuna Ave. These are two of Mandaue's major thoroughfares that bring motorists to Mactan. I didn't mention this road since I'm just too far from the place and rarely pass that road.

I have two emailed letters that I'm printing here in the hope that the DPWH would finally listen. The first letter comes from a friend who emailed this note to me, "H. Cortez is not only being cemented for a year now, and they haven't even done half of it yet. Worse is that the rest of the asphalt to Cabahug St, aside from the potholes, has been sporadically punctured with a backhoe pointed attachment in preparation to removing all the old asphalt - try going through that on your bike.  That's also probably a year now." I'd like to point out that after writing those columns in this corner and in The Philippine Star, DPWH officials chose not to answer our queries. This is proof of the arrogance of DPWH officials who forget that they are public servants!

Obviously I'm not alone in my frustration and I'm sure that the people of Mandaue are just as sore at DPWH…but they apparently suffer in silence because Mandaue's political leaders have somehow lost their voice and do not say anything. But because of our writings, we've gotten many emails and text messages from friends who are just as pissed off as I am. I'm sure that the hundreds of thousands of motorist who are inconvenienced by DPWH's stupidity must be cursing those officials. 

In ending his letter, my friend said, "This is all simultaneous slow work blocking the only roads to Mactan. They must really have geniuses at DPWH..... And the Cebu politicians have not even said a word to criticize this.  And they talk of MEGA CEBU, with DPWH attending the meetings.  There must be some fools attending since the citizens can't do anything about this. Do you see any slightest hope the traffic can be decongested in a year, ...3 years, 10 years?  I think my grandchildren won't even see this. - my two cents!"

Indeed these observations are no longer mine. So here's the other emailed letter. "I read with interest your opinion on causes of traffic in Cebu and I, 100% agree. May I add some that you might want to check up on it:

1.  There's supposedly a bridge-widening going to Ateneo de Cebu.  This morning, heavy traffic. Cause: big construction equipment park their units beside the bridge, which happens to block the parking space of the owner of house they parked. Result: the owner's car was parked on the side near the bridge. (This is a two way street with one lane each).

Referring to the same bridge. Did you know that they already destroyed the bridge handle last July? Then they stopped and put some GI sheet to cover the side of the lane.  As you also noticed, they don't work on Saturdays & Sundays where there are fewer cars.

2. The Canduman public school (both elementary & HS) they have the most numbers of habal-habal going anywhere. Counter flow & parking on the street causing tremendous traffic. Unlike the public school near the Guitar World (near the overpass to Foodland) where they allow habal habal to enter their premises to prevent accidents) it is the reverse to this Canduman School. That's why children have no choice but to disembark from habal-habal on the busy Street. They have brgy tanods but allow habal-habal to go in any directions they want. Causing danger to us motorists who drive cars.

3. Referring to road intersection in AS Fortuna. The road to Mandaue foam / Queensland? (4got name of Road). Hope they will be finished this December. It is also almost a year already & the DPWH destroyed the road right away and waited for almost a year to repair the road.  Shame on them!! Would be very happy if you will look into it.  Let this DPWH resp know that we have eyes to see their very good performances."

So there you are… just a couple of complaints from our irate readers. But what gets our gall is the nonchalant attitude of our public servants and political leaders who refuse to crack the w hip against those contractors. What they must do is work at night when there is no traffic, including Sundays and holidays. This is the kind of reform we wanted to see with DPWH under the PNoy Regime…but even that, they failed to do! Shame!

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On Dec. 19th, Philippine Airlines PAL will launch its four-weekly flights between Cebu and Osaka and on Dec.20th; they will also launch the Cebu to Nagoya four times weekly bringing to 67 flights between the Philippines and Japan. With PAL Pres. Jimmy Bautista back on the helm of the nation's flag carrier… we can expect more dynamic routes from PAL. That's good for Cebu!