Cebu responds to traffic challenge

CEBU, Philippines - In his second State of the Nation Address (SONA) last Monday, President Rodrigo Duterte announced he is directing traffic groups in major local government units across the country, Cebu included, to strengthen their traffic management systems.

“I am directing the MMDA and the LGUs of Metro Manila, as well as the LGUs of Metro Cebu and all our regional centers to ensure the free flow of traffic, and immediately clear our roads and thoroughfares of all unnecessary obstruction, including vehicles parked on the streets/barriers,” Duterte said.

Mayor Luigi Quisumbing said the city has been doing what Duterte wants to happen.

“We align goals our local goals to be able to harmonize it with the goals of the national government. That’s exactly what we’ve been doing the past year,” he said.

Quisumbing also highlighted that they are closely communicating with the city governments of Cebu and Lapu-Lapu as well as with Consolacion to coordinate their traffic management schemes.

The city is also finalizing an ordinance on towing and working with possible partners for a wide-scale implementation.

“It’s going to get more traffic before it gets better because we are planning, like announced during my SOCA, to embark on a massive infrastructure initiative for flooding and traffic,” Quisumbing said.

The city expects vehicle traffic to worsen next year as new roads and new drainage systems are built to shorten the city’s “infrastructure gap.”

“Once we complete these projects, they’re going to have a felt impact on both traffic and flooding,” Quisumbing said.

Meanwhile, in Cebu City, transportation office chief Francisco Ouano said the city’s efforts to manage traffic properly need the cooperation of motorists.

Status quo, however, isn’t ideal.

Ouano said there has been an increase in the collection of traffic fines, an indication that more motorists are violating traffic laws.

CCTO has collected P57.8 million from September to May 2017.

One of the solutions the city sees to prevent motorists from parking illegally is to clamp vehicles parked on sidewalks and streets.

"Dugay na pod nga naghatag og direktiba atong mayor nga i-intensify ang clamping aning mga mo park gyod sa dalan," he said.

His office, he said, will receive 100 clamps next month; 30 for trucks and 70 for four-wheeled vehicles.

"Dinhi sa Cebu City, we know nga we have narrow roads compared to other areas but I can say nga moving gyod atong traffic. Bisan og slow moving, moving gihapon siya ug dili bumper to bumper unless naay aksidente," he said.

He said all 278 traffic enforcers are trained in responding to accidents so that congestion can be prevented.

Ouano said the office is also eyeing at upgrading the city's traffic lights early next year in time for the implementation of the Cebu Bus Rapid Transit (BRT).

"Makita gyod nato nga ang mga tao, dili nana mogamit sa ilang sakyanan kay paspas ang BRT ug convenient para nila," he said.

He said BRT project is seen to address the traffic congestion as it is seen to lessen the use of private cars.

Directive

In a statement, Presidential Adviser for the Visayas Michael Dino said he considers the statement a marching order.

“Pres. Duterte gave weight to Metro Cebu’s traffic problem in his second SONA. I consider it as a marching order of the President for OPAV in finding best solutions of the traffic problem. I urged the LGUs down to the sitio level to heed the order of the President,” he said.

“The immediate work to do is to rid the roads of obstructions, including vehicles parked along the roads. It must be a shared responsibility of all agencies concerned with roads, public transportation, LGU’s down to the sitio level," he added.

Dino opposes the BRT and is pushing for the establishment of the Light Rail Transit (LRT) instead.

“Our office is in constant talk with the Cebuano public on available alternative solutions to traffic congestion. I have pushed what the Cebuanos have been longing for as long-term solution to traffic problem, that is the LRT,” he said. (FREEMAN)