"The road’s sudden shutdown has undermined economic activities in Cebu Province in a big way, not to mention the massive inconvenience it has caused to everyone. Public interest requires that the road be reopened without further delay," Gullas said.
"The road is a national government’s project and had been declared open by no less than President Macapagal Arroyo. Thus, the DPWH should now step in and allow free and unhampered public access to the facility," he said.
The six-lane freeway had been open for almost a year before Mayor Osmeña had it blockaded on April 8, vowing to reopen the road only after Malacañang issues in favor of Cebu City a title to the 295-hectare (Cebu) South Reclamation Project (SRP).
Cebu City’s southern neighbor, Talisay City, is contesting before the Department of Justice (DoJ) ownership of at least 54 hectares of SRP.
Justice Secretary Raul Gonzales had earlier said he would soon come out with a ruling on whether or not a title to the SRP could be issued in favor of Cebu City.
Last week, Osmeña said he would issue two separate "special security passes" for individuals and motor vehicles that would be granted access to the road "on a case-to-case basis."
"That is a blatant violation of the Constitution’s equal protection clause. Why should access to the road, paid for by the taxpaying public, be restricted to a privileged few," Gullas said.
The road’s closure has drawn protests from the Cebu provincial board, the city councils of Talisay and Toledo, the southern Cebu municipal councils, the local chambers of commerce and industry, the local chapter of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines and various civic groups.
Travelers to and from 26 towns and the cities of Talisay and Toledo in southern Cebu, and from as far as Bohol, Negros Oriental and Negros Occidental, have been adversely affected by the shutdown.
The foreign-assisted road project has three segments – two in Cebu City and one in Talisay, of which Gullas is former mayor.
Before the shutdown, the road had provided traders, motorists and commuters from southern Cebu direct and fast access to the Port of Cebu City and the Mactan-Cebu International Airport in Lapu-Lapu City.
