Group airs caution on attempts to block opening of P21-billion expressway in CL
CLARK, Pampanga -- An advocacy group with operations in Central Luzon cautioned yesterday some sectors against attempts to block the forthcoming opening of the government’s flagship project, the R21-billion Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX).
It urged the sectors to "help instead in pushing development programs for the region."
This developed as the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) gave assurances that it would comply with all its commitments stipulated in a memorandum of agreement (MOA) forged earlier with the municipal government of Concepcion, Tarlac.
Lawyer Rafael dela Torre, chief advocacy director of CPI Organizational Studies and Advocacy (COSA), said: "Government infrastructure projects such as the SCTEx are clothed with immunity from court-issued injunctions or restraining orders."
Dela Torre said that under the law, no private person or entity can file a petition for temporary restraining order against an infrastructure project of the government.
"It would, therefore, be an exercise in futility to try to secure a TRO from the court in an attempt to block the opening of the SCTEx," he said.
He criticized some sectors influencing farmers groups whio are planning to stage protest actions against the 94-kilometer tollway, saying "national economic growth and progress should never be held hostage by personal interest and selfish motives."
"Let us look at the SCTEx within the larger perspective of the Luzon Urban Beltway and in the context of the Super Region envisioned by the Macapagal Arroyo administration," Dela Torre said.
Meanwhile, the government-run BCDA disclosed that it has awarded the contract for the construction of service roads and overpasses in areas affected by SCTEx in compliance with its commitments under the MoA with the Concepcion municipal government.
BCDA officials also said that the funds for these projects have been allocated and ready for release.
"We will comply with our commitments (under the MoA)," the BCDA said in a bid to allay the apprehensions of farmers.
Package 2 of the SCTEx – the stretch from Clark to Tarlac – is expected to be opened by November this year.
SCTEx Package 1 will be opened in the first quarter of 2008. (Fred Roxas)
It urged the sectors to "help instead in pushing development programs for the region."
This developed as the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) gave assurances that it would comply with all its commitments stipulated in a memorandum of agreement (MOA) forged earlier with the municipal government of Concepcion, Tarlac.
Lawyer Rafael dela Torre, chief advocacy director of CPI Organizational Studies and Advocacy (COSA), said: "Government infrastructure projects such as the SCTEx are clothed with immunity from court-issued injunctions or restraining orders."
Dela Torre said that under the law, no private person or entity can file a petition for temporary restraining order against an infrastructure project of the government.
"It would, therefore, be an exercise in futility to try to secure a TRO from the court in an attempt to block the opening of the SCTEx," he said.
He criticized some sectors influencing farmers groups whio are planning to stage protest actions against the 94-kilometer tollway, saying "national economic growth and progress should never be held hostage by personal interest and selfish motives."
"Let us look at the SCTEx within the larger perspective of the Luzon Urban Beltway and in the context of the Super Region envisioned by the Macapagal Arroyo administration," Dela Torre said.
Meanwhile, the government-run BCDA disclosed that it has awarded the contract for the construction of service roads and overpasses in areas affected by SCTEx in compliance with its commitments under the MoA with the Concepcion municipal government.
BCDA officials also said that the funds for these projects have been allocated and ready for release.
"We will comply with our commitments (under the MoA)," the BCDA said in a bid to allay the apprehensions of farmers.
Package 2 of the SCTEx – the stretch from Clark to Tarlac – is expected to be opened by November this year.
SCTEx Package 1 will be opened in the first quarter of 2008. (Fred Roxas)
posted by OlongapoCity Zambales at
8:08 AM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home