1-way traffic in the south pushed

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu City Council is asking Cebu City Transportation Office to study the one-way scheme for southbound vehicles in a bid to ease traffic congestion on Natalio Bacalso Avenue, especially during rush hours.

Traffic jams are prevalent in the city’s southern corridor due to the ongoing construction of the P700 million underpass project at the intersection of N. Bacalso Ave. and F. Llamas St.

The request through the resolution sponsored by Councilor Raymond Alvin Garcia was approved by the City Council during yesterday’s regular session.

The CCTO is tasked to look into the possibility of implementing a one-way traffic scheme for southbound vehicles from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., covering the intersections of F. Llamas Street, E. Sabellano Street, Tres de Abril Street and up to the corner of Macopa Street and vice versa.

The councilor said there is a pressing need to implement the one-way traffic to address the “severe bumper to bumper” traffic on most days in the south district.

He cited Section 458 of the Local Government Code or the general welfare clause.

At his press conference yesterday, Mayor Tomas Osmeña expressed support to the council’s move, saying he is open to anything that would address the “horrendous” southern traffic.

The mayor said he will let CCTO evaluate on the matter and will decide after based on the office’s findings.

However, CCTO Operations Chief Francisco “Isko” Ouano said the one-way scheme is not feasible because volume of vehicles is plying the identified intersections.

He said CCTO personnel are trying to manage the traffic in the southern corridor.

At present, southbound vehicles are accessing E. Sabellano Street and Caimito Street.

On the other hand, South District Representative Rodrigo “Bebot” Abellanosa said the Department of Public Works and Highways has promised to hasten the underpass construction, following his special meeting with DPWH Secretary Mark Villar in a hotel in Manila yesterday.

No Rerouting

Meanwhile, Land Transportation and Franchising Regulatory Board (LTFRB)-7 Regional Director Ahmed Cuizon has failed to convince Talisay City Mayor Eduardo Gullas about the proposed plan for additional buses to travel along the Cebu South Coastal Road (CSCR).

Cuizon, in a meeting yesterday, presented the traffic plan before the city officials.

LTFRB is planning to grant special permits to 10 buses to access CSCR from Starmall in Barangay Lawaan in Talisay City to Compania Maritima in Cebu City.

The additional buses would service commuters in the south as LTFRB is eyeing to cut PUJ routes from San Fernado, Naga City to Minglanilla town.

Among other plans is giving Talisay PUJs access to CSCR to lessen congestion on N. Bacalso Avenue. Around 40 PUJs ply from Barangay Tabunok to Cebu City via N. Bacalso Ave.

But the plan to give more buses access to CSCR did not sit well with the mayor.

Gullas said it would only help worsen the traffic congestion in the city.

Instead, the mayor wanted the 40 PUJs be given priority once the new routes would be implemented.

Cuizon said he respects and understands the sentiments of the mayor, saying his office would look for other viable options, including using the access road in Barangay Inayawan in Cebu City.

"Normal ra ang tanan sa ruta, wala’y kausaban sa Talisay.  Ang Cebu City ra ang naa ug mohimo og mga adjustments. Dili na kinahanglanon nga mobalda pa ta sa Talisay," he said. —KBQ (FREEMAN)