To address traffic problem: Water transport system pushed

CEBU, Philippines —  Citing the “alarming and depressing state of land transportation and its horrible effects to the public,” the Cebu Provincial Board has urged the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and other concerned agencies to pursue the proposed inter-intra island sea water transport system for the island of Cebu in order to help improve the movement of people, goods, and services.

Board Member Glenn Anthony Soco, who sponsored a resolution the board passed on January 16, stressed the importance of alternative transport system amid a snail-paced infrastructure projects that are supposed to address the pressing and perennial problem of traffic congestion in Metro Cebu.

“…there is a need to pursue other means and initiatives to help address the pressing concern on traffic. Such alternatives have to be worked on now,” said Soco, chairman of the PB committee on planning and development.

The undeniable rapid growth and development in the Province of Cebu particularly in Metro Cebu has resulted to a tremendous increase of traffic volume in the major thoroughfares, affecting not only the riding public, but likewise extremely slowing down the province’s economic chain, delivery of basic services, movement of goods and people.

The traffic and congestion crisis in Metro Cebu and even with the nearby local government units as manifested in the debilitated long hours of daily commute and land travel have assumed the magnitude and degree of a public calamity.

The crisis has a national significance as it does not only affect Metro Cebu, but likewise the Greater Metro Manila and Metro Davao.

Based on a study by the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the losses attributable to traffic are estimated to be around P1.1 billion a day in Metro Cebu alone.

Soco recalled that he had sponsored the approval of several legislative actions to call upon agencies and other authorities to come up with measures to provide solutions to the pressing problem on transportation.

As a matter of fact, a resolution declaring a traffic crisis in the Province of Cebu was approved by the PB on October 14, 2019.

Soco also sponsored a resolution calling upon Congress and/or the national government to give special attention to the same problem.

“Inter-intra island water transport is considered to be a very important subsector in the national transport system. With the worsening traffic situation in Cebu, it is high time to pursue other means to help alleviate the sufferings of the riding public. Inter-intra sea transport is a great alternative to consider,” Soco said.

He added that aside from addressing a perennial problem, using sea transport improves connectivity of the Province of Cebu with other regions and islands.

According to Soco, the idea of implementing an efficient inter-intra sea water transport system is not novel. In fact, the Central Visayas Regional Development Council endorsed for the pursuance of the same several years back.

RDC-7, through its Infrastructure Development Committee which Soco chaired, had encouraged the conduct of further feasibility studies to determine the viability of the plan.

There were meetings with a Technical Working Group (TWG) created by RDC-7 specifically for this purpose wherein relevant agencies such as the Department of Public Works and Highways, the Maritime Industry Authority, the DOTr and representatives from local government units jointly worked on the all aspects for the realization of the system.

Soco said the water transport systems have been adopted by other LGUs in the country and are proven to be effective adding that it is not only easy to use, is it likewise cheap to maintain.

In the Province of Cebu, Soco said that if such will be realized, it shall be a considerable alternative to inland travel and traffic congestion in the main thoroughfares may be eased.

He said that travelers from one jurisdiction to another has the option to take public small boats or ferries, water taxis and other water vessels capable to conveniently, comfortably and safely transport people.

Soco said that the creation of sea water transport system is a great alternative for the commuting public as it is not only practical, but is likewise less costly.

“With the territorial, physical features and geographies of the Province of Cebu which is surrounded by water, the use of water facilities to transport people, goods and services is realistic and suitable,” Soco said.

He added that to ensure safety and regulation, the DOTr and all relevant agencies must take part in the realization of the project.- FPL (FREEMAN)