Labella seeks Villar’s help for Mambaling underpass mess

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu City Mayor Edgardo Labella has sought the intervention of Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Mark Villlar in the controversial Mambaling underpass.

Labella, in a letter to Villar dated April 3, said he wrote to raise a concern regarding the multi-million underpass along N.Bacalso Avenue.

Since the construction of the said underpass, the area has been experiencing flooding.

Last Holy Wednesday, the underpass was flooded and impassable for hours after a downpour, resulting in traffic gridlocks on the main highway.

“This is now becoming a normal occurrence during rains in Cebu City,” said Labella.

Labella recalled that the said project was supposed to include underground concrete cisterns to serve as storage of flood water, but such component was scrapped accordingly.

With this, Labella is asking for Villar to send experts to look into the functionality and structural integrity of the underpass for everyone’s safety.

Councilor Jerry Guardo, for his part said, the drainage system had not been put in place ahead of the civil works.

Guardo, who sits as chairman of the council's committee on infrastructure, wants DPWH to provide an update on the latest development of its clearing operations for the service road of the said underpass.

The service road is also where the drainage systems will be built on. — KQD (FREEMAN)