THE Cebu City Council wants proponents of the Cebu-Cordova bridge to incorporate bicycle lanes in the construction of the toll facility.
Two more barangays in the city, though, don’t want the bridge to cross their territory, saying it will displace a lot of their constituents.
During the council’s Sept. 6 session, Councilor Eugenio Gabuya Jr. filed a resolution asking the Metro Pacific Tollways Development Corp. (MPTDC) to put up bicycle lanes in both sides of the planned bridge.
“Gusto nako ma-encourage ang mga tawo nga mag-bisikleta. Di na magdala ug sakyanan (I want that people will be encouraged to bike. Not to bring vehicles anymore),” he said, adding that biking will contribute to a healthy lifestyle and reduce vehicles on the road.
Authority
In his one-page resolution, Gabuya said the council, under the Local Government Code, has the power to regulate the use of streets, avenues, alleys, sidewalks and bridges.
Gabuya said his request to MPTDC will complement with the proposed ordinance he filed asking establishments in the city to reserve a parking space in their areas to encourage the public to bring bicycles with them instead of cars.
The proposed measure has already been referred to the committee on laws for review and recommendation.
During the session, the Council was also given a copy of the resolution approved by Barangays Ermita and Pahina Central opposing the passage of the bridge in their area.
The P27.9-billion toll facility will have two ramps along Guadalupe River that will connect to the bridge. The on-ramp will start at C. Padilla St. while the off-ramp will land on Sanciangko St.
MPTDC earlier said that the project will affect around 147 lots in the city.
The barangays asks MPTDC to transfer the ramps of the bridge elsewhere, particularly at the South Road Properties or at the Compaña Maritima.
Negotiated
MPTDC legal consultant, in appearing before the council last month, explained that the construction of the two ramps was a result of the negotiations they had with the join venture selection committee during the administration of former mayor Michael Rama.
It was proposed by the previous administration so it will coincide with the plan to rehabilitate the Guadalupe River, to which MPTDC subsequently accepted.
Batuhan said the MPTDC already know of the objections by some barangays.
He said they are willing to defer the construction of the two ramps and just proceed with the original plan for the bridge, which is to end it at the Cebu South Coastal Road.
Under the joint venture agreement, Batuhan said it is the job of the City Government to clear the Guadalupe River from illegal structures.
If the City can already deliver such, he said it will only be then that they will start the construction of the two ramps.
