Mayor Rama: Hasten CBRT civil works

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama yesterday "directed" the proponents of the Cebu City Bus Rapid Transit (CBRT) project to hasten the civil works, especially the removal of the two affected skywalks along Osmeña Boulevard and their transfer to the South Road Properties (SRP).

"Dili kay urging, I am directing them," he said during an online interview aired by City Hall's social media platform Sugboanon Channel.

While Rama is still in Australia for a family vacation, he regularly goes live online for interviews.

Yesterday, he said that as mayor, it should be his "order" that would prevail on the ongoing civil works for the CBRT.

"Kailangan we dictate. The City of Cebu, the local government, dictates, kanang 'dictations' sa City Government, naa na sa Local Government Code," he said.

He already gave the go signal for the removal of the skywalks after the Department of Public Works and Highways - City District Engineering Office already turned over to the City Government their ownership documents.

"It should be removed, not demolished. And then later on there will be usefulness of it (skywalks)," Rama said.

While he would love it to the contractors and engineers how, he said it should be ensured that the skywalks would still be of use when brought to the SRP.

He asked for everyone's cooperation to realize the skywalks' transfer to the SRP before January next year.

"Mapaspas man ba, basta nga magtinabangay unya di maghuwat og January. Kay inig-January, magsugod nasad didto ang Walk of Mary," Rama said.

Meanwhile, in a text message to The FREEMAN, Engr. Norvin Imbong, CBRT project manager, said they are still awaiting for clearance from the Commission on Audit (COA) to begin the process.

“Wala pa gihapon (ang clearance). Yesterday (Monday), we were required to submit drawings to Cebu COA showing how the skywalks affect the project. Yesterday, we submitted as required,” he said.

Previously, Cebu City Councilor Jerry Guardo, City Hall's Technical Infrastructure Committee chairman, said COA's clearance is necessary for the removal and transfer of the two skywalks since these properties were constructed using government funds.

He likewise said that the skywalks would not retain their full structure when transferred.

"So when say transfer, meaning, maguba gyud ang structure, but dili gyud kaayo. Kay ang design man gud ani niya naka-free cast man gud siya, in other words, ang long span nga beam, pwede pa sya ma-salvage, it can be reused nga mahimo pa siyang functional," Guardo had said. — (FREEMAN)