Blame Talisay City Council, too, for Tabunok traffic woes – mayor

CEBU, Philippines – Talisay City Mayor Johnny De los Reyes has laid the blame squarely to opposition-majority city council bloc for the worsening traffic in Tabunok area.

De los Reyes said if the city council granted him authority to enter into a loan for the construction of a new market in Tabunok, traffic problems in the area would have been addressed.

"Ang pagbabag sa konseho sa pagtukod sa bag-ong merkado sa Tabunok ug  ang paghimo'g bag-ong karsada hinungdan nga wa masulbad  ang problema  sa kahuot sa dagan  sa trapiko," De los Reyes said.

He said he already had the four-story market's design, if only the council approved the loan amounting to P350 million.

The first and second floors will cater to vendors selling meats, fish, vegetables, fruits and dry goods. The third floor will house vendors selling assorted items and trinkets while the fourth floor will accommodate vendors selling ready-to-eat foods.

Parking areas will be available for private vehicles and public utility vehicles.

The mayor said he is against a Public-Private Partnership scheme since the city can avail of a loan with a bank.

But in a separate interview, Vice Mayor Romeo Villarante laughed off the statements of De los Reyes.

"Ang wala'y kabangkaagan ug ang dili makamao nga si Mayor JVR mao'y hinungdan nganong migrabe ang kahuot sa trapiko diha sa Tabunok," Villarante said, adding that the mayor tolerated the sidewalk vendors along the road.

"Walay gihimo ang mayor sa mga manindahay nga miabot na sa sidewalk hinungdan nga ang mga tawo anaa na sa karsada nanglakaw nga maoy nakaingon sa grabeng kahuot sa trapiko," he said.

Villarante also questioned the mayor's insistence on the loan when he said there are other ways to generate the funds without borrowing.

"Ang pagpugong sa konseho nga makautang ang mayor mas maayo. Ang PPP aron kana dili mangutang og dako ang siyudad. Nganong gusto man mangutang ang mayor og bultong kantidad sa kuwarta?" the vice mayor said. (FREEMAN)