No more loading, unloading along UN Avenue in Mandaue

CEBU, Philippines - Loading and unloading are prohibited strictly along United Nations Avenue in Mandaue City starting today.

“Effective tomorrow (today), the entire stretch of UN Avenue is no stopping zone. I have directed our TEAM personnel to issue citation ticket for violation and issue jaywalking citation to commuters,” Mayor Luigi Quisumbing said yesterday.

He appealed to motorists to follow traffic rules even if doing so is inconvenient at first.

The UN Avenue intersection is the busiest in Metro Cebu since it is one of the access roads going to Mactan Island.

“This is for the greater good. I am dead set on finding solution in that area,” the mayor said. 

Quisumbing also observed the problem that contributes traffic congestions in major intersections along UN Avenue and Plaridel Street are the non-enforcement of the so-called “junction box” ordinance.

The mayor explained that the move of his administration was to strengthen the traffic system and prevent irregular use of the city streets and highways.

Glenn Antigua, operations head of Traffic Enforcement Agency in Mandaue (TEAM), said the most common traffic offense has been the yellow box violation.

The yellow box refers to the crisscross diagonal lines painted on road intersections designed to prevent traffic gridlock. Vehicles should not enter the box unless the exit lane is clear, she said.

In the ordinance, drivers of any vehicle caught inside the solid yellow lines drawn on road intersections blocking the flow of traffic, will be apprehended and may be fined with P1,000.

Antigua said they will install traffic advisories at designated areas for loading and unloading for passengers.

Meanwhile, Quisumbing also announced that he has already signed Ordinance No. 14-2016-1120 imposing and raising traffic penalties in the city.

Drivers and operators of public utility jeepneys will be fined P1,000 if they refuse to transport passengers with hand-carry goods, transport cargo, and goods even if their franchise is only to transport passengers, operate a unit without a franchise or with an expired franchise, drive with an improper license, allow another person to use his/her driver’s license, and employ arrogant drivers.

Drivers who will be caught trip-cutting and driving recklessly will be fined P1,500, while drivers who ignore a traffic sign will pay P500. The original traffic violations were from P200 to P500; P500 to P1,000; and P1,000 to P1,500. (FREEMAN)