Use infra to decongest city centers

By Mia A. Aznar

Friday, November 25, 2011

IF there is anything Rep. Tomas Osmeña (Cebu City, south district) can say about Philippine urban planning, it is that the way things are done here is “flawed”.

Speaking before members of the Philippine Association of Realtors Board-Cebu Realtors Board (Pareb-Cereb) during their general membership meeting and induction of newly elected officers Thursday night, Osmeña said the key to urban planning was not to rely on textbooks printed in other countries but in understanding a city.

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Osmeña noted that the country’s planners are reactive when it comes to designing infrastructure. “That is a mistake.”

He believes the country should start building roads leading away from the city and going to places that lack these infrastructure or else existing city centers will become congested.

He lamented that 80 percent of the national funds are concentrated on projects for Manila while the countryside remains neglected.

He explained that when he first suggested putting up a road in the south, he was told it was not necessary because “nobody goes to the south.”

But today, with a big road leading to the south, Osmeña pointed out that more people are moving to the south.

“My model of urban design is not reactive,” he told the realtors. “When you plan a city, you can’t get a textbook printed in Canada or the United Kingdom and implement it here. You have to understand the nuances of the local population, and that is not in the textbook.”

He also defended the plan to put up flyovers, saying it eases the flow of traffic because vehicles do not have to stop for crossing pedestrians or stopping public utility vehicles.

Osmeña added that the bridge in the first part of the South Coastal Road is actually a flyover, except that it is on water.

“Imagine if you just widen the road to Talisay instead of that flyover in the sea. I guarantee, you will not reach Talisay in 10 to 15 minutes,” he said.

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He also cited the widening project of Escario St. from the corner of Gorordo Ave. to the Archbishop Reyes Ave., saying it has taken the government so many years to complete a small stretch of road.

“Even if you have billions of pesos, it takes forever,” he said.

Aside from speaking at the event, Osmeña also swore in the incoming officers and directors, who will begin their terms next year.

The new officers include incoming president Richard Azares, first vice president Ma. Corazon dela Fuente, second vice president Ma. Lucylyn Whysall, secretary Eva Miñoza, treasurer Fiona Leona Charisma King, auditor Ramil Granada and PRO Charles Florante Lee. The organization’s new directors are Ricky Apdan, Jocelyn Jamero, Richard Ray King, Samuel Lao, Regidor Manaloto, Christine Sarmiento, Arnita Ruiz and Leticia Tauto-an.

Published in the Sun.Star Cebu newspaper on November 26, 2011.