USC says no to flyover near P. Del Rosario
CEBU CITY, Philippines – The University of San Carlos (USC) appealed to project proponents of the proposed new flyover projects here, to reconsider their plans.
USC opposed the construction of a 1.1-kilometer flyover encompassing portions of Osmeña Boulevard, P. Del Rosario Street, and N. Bacalso Avenue, which will also entail road widening for P. Del Rosario.
The university issued a two-page position paper on Tuesday, June 22, elaborating their stand. It was electronically signed by Fr. Narciso Cellan, the University President.
According to USC, building a flyover will have a ’tremendous impact’ on heritage sites belonging to their Downtown Campus, including the decades-old Arthur Dingman Building.
They added that the project, to be undertaken by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), will violate laws meant to protect properties with significant historical value.
“In 2010, this edifice was listed as an Important Cultural Property (ICP) by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) while USC itself carries a National Historical Landmark badge. Thus, it is under the protection of Republic Act (RA) 10066,” explained USC.
“The law states in Article VIII Sec. 32 that a national agency such as DPWH should consult and coordinate with the Commission for projects that would impact heritage structures or aspects of heritage conservation,” they added.
USC’s Arthur Dingman Building was constructed in 1949 and completed in 1950. Paolo Beltran designed the establishment in Beaux-Arts architectural style.
University executives also advised state engineers from DPWH to revisit JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency) Roadmap Study for Mega Cebu, stating that flyover and tunnel projects are ‘not identified as short-and medium-term projects’.
“The JICA Roadmap Study for Mega Cebu proposed prioritizing alternative modes of transportation, including improvements to public transportation systems as well as the implementation of mass public transit.
These flyover and tunnel projects obviously do not introduce new modes or systems of public transportation. At best, they are mere palliatives, temporary solutions to traffic problems that are then moved further from where these will be built,” said USC.
Other concerns the university raised also included having the project not aligned with the Cebu Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) line.
“We therefore earnestly appeal to the DPWH to cease from carrying out these projects and to revisit the JICA Roadmap Study for Mega Cebu in order to be properly guided on their plans for any and all infrastructure projects in Cebu,” they said.
Last April, DPWH in Central Visayas (DPWH-7) announced it has begun the Detailed Engineering Design (DED) process for three major infrastructure projects in Cebu City targeted to be completed in 2037.
Aside from the flyover near USC’s Downtown Campus, these are the 1.2-kilometer flyover from Natalio Bacalso Avenue to V. Rama Street; and a 900-meter underpass from the South Road Properties to Mambaling road. /rcg
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