ZAMBOANGA CITY -- Mayor John Dalipe signed an executive order on Thursday, Sept. 1, that paved the way for the construction of a modern flyover here.
In his Executive Order JD 2022-020, Dalipe also ordered the temporary closure of two middle lanes of Gov. Camins Avenue and Tetuan MCLL highway so that the Department of Public Works and Highways can proceed with the project.
The flyover is a campaign promise of the mayor.
“As mayor, I always put the welfare of the people first. If it brings everyone the best interest or benefit, we will make it happen,” Dalipe said.
Dalipe stressed the need to start the implementation of the flyover before the national government reverts the P300- million funding appropriated for the project in December.
Funds for the said project had been released long before, but due to non-implementation, the national government has given Zamboanga until December this year to implement the project.
Initially, funds amounting to P600-million were released in 2018 for the flyover but the local government of Zamboanga failed to utilize it until January this year, prompting the Department of Budget and Management to have the funds reverted.
However, then President Duterte decided before the national election to give the city of Zamboanga more time to implement the project until December 2022.
The Zamboanga City Traffic Operation Management (ZCTOM) meanwhile convened to discuss alternative routes to ease traffic congestion in the area.
The flyover will be the first such project in Zamboanga City which is expected to solve traffic congestion.