PB defers Citom request for pocket lanes in Capitol lots
The Cebu Provincial Board (PB) deferred the city government’s request to set up pocket lanes in province-owned lots along the Banilad-Talamban road after questions were raised on the nature of the agreement in yesterday’s regular session.
PB Member Peter John Calderon asked if the province is required to donate the two lots so the Department of Public Works and Highways regional office (DPWH-7) and the Cebu City Traffic Operations Management (Citom) can push through with the plan.
“Is it for plain use or does it follow that with the agreement we are donating the property to DPWH and Citom?” said Calderon, who represents Cebu’s 2nd district.
“Aside from that, there is no clear timetable on how long DPWH wants to use the property. If a new set of elected officials come in, the agreement might change,” he added.
Yesterday’s discussion stemmed from a Citom board resolution asking the Capitol for the use of 351 sq. meters of province-owned land along Gov. Cuenco Avenue.
No legal obstacle
Citom Executive Director Rafael Yap said the project will “most likely” be under a usufruct scheme wherein DPWH gets to develop the province-owned lots with the Capitol retaining its ownership.
“The next step would be to resubmit the memorandum between the properties and table it for discussion in the next board meeting so they can verify that we are not looking for a donation, we are just asking for use,” he said.
“There are no legal obstructions to this. There are provisions on the cooperation between local government units and line agencies. There is more of a question on policy than legality,” Yap added.
PB Member Grecilda Sanchez suggested putting off the approval of the resolution authorizing the governor to enter into a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with DPWH and the city “until further discussion.”
The proposal will be taken up again when the PB holds its next regular session on Sept. 1.
Setbacks
Citom is proposing to place the first pocket lane beside the Emergency Rescue Unit Foundation’s (ERUF) headquarters which occupies 160 square meters.
The second one will be situated along the Ciudad development project and will entail the use of 191 square meters of province-owned land.
Pocket lanes are road setbacks where vehicles can detour and stop for loading and unloading of passengers.
The PB approved DPWH-7’s request to open the Capitol compound as a diversion route for vehicles from Escario Street heading to M. Velez Street for a month.
Cebu City Engineering District chief Fernando Cruz said this will allow them to speed up their long-delayed road concreting project along N.G. Escario St. towards the bridge at M. Velez beside the Capitol.
Requirements
Provincial Administrator Mark Tolentino said the request already got the governor’s approval but he laid down requirements for the use.
Vehicles traveling along Escario Street going to Guadalupe Area have to make a right turn to the Capitol compound passing through the access road between the Palace of Justice and Legislative Building and exiting through the gate leading to M. Velez Street.
The access road can only be used from 5:30 a.m. up to 10 p.m., while Citom officers should be deployed inside the Capitol for security and safety purposes, he said.
Related Stories:
PB takes up Citom proposal to use lots in BanTal
Citom wants ‘pocket lanes’ built along Ban-Tal
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