OPINION: Is flyover in Tagum City prone to quake? By Jun Ledesma

IN A DESPERATE move to thwart the issue on the controversial multi-billion- peso skyway project here, the PDP-Alvarez wing has resorted to a vicious political black propaganda and fake news. This came on the heels of series of earthquakes that hit Luzon, including Metro Manila, Eastern Visayas and Compostela Province. Local residents here are afraid the massive structures of the skyway that runs across the busy business district of the city might collapse.

In his recent and follow up expose’, TV host Erwin Tulfo disclosed that based on his interviews with officials of Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Philvocs) and the Department of Public Works and Highways the sky way lies close to the fault line in Tagum.

Fault lines are fractures in the ground brought about by movement of earth tectonic plates underground. Earthquakes, aside from volcanic quakes, are caused movements of these plates that could trigger high intensity earthquakes. Philvocs prohibits construction on top of the fault lines and warns of erecting structures adjacent to it.

What adds to the anxiety of Tagum residents is the fact that the 1.6 -kilometer skyway which is being presented as a simple flyover, did not pass through the National Economic Development Authority and the Regional Development Council. No feasibility study was presented. It was not also subjected to public consultation. Project of this nature had been ordered investigated by President Rodrigo Duterte especially when its sources of funds are merely inserted in the general appropriations. He just recently approved the budget but vetoed a P95-billion worth of inserted items with orders to investigate these.

Ex-Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez told Tulfo that the project was proposed by Tagum City Mayor Allan Rellon, however, the Rellon denied this, saying that his proposal was for a viaduct in places that is often flooded. Presently some business establishments adjacent to the skyway or flyover project are preparing to relocate elsewhere. Tagum old timers complain that the structure has defiled the beauty of the town which former City Mayor Rey Uy and his wife Alma planned and put in place.

As this issue grips Tagum, the Alvarez camp heightened its black propaganda campaign to steer public attention away from the flyover controversy. Campaigning in Braulio Dujali in the 2nd District, Edwin Jubahib who is running for governor and a certain Gregorio Facula started attacking Cathy Binag, partner of Rep. Tonyboy Floirendo for no apparent reasons. (Jun Ledesma)