Condo rates may go up if traffic impact assessment is required

CEBU, Philippines - The Real Estate Brokers Association of the Philippines, Inc. (REBAP) has warned of a possible increase in condominium rates if the proposed ordinance requiring all real estate developers and construction firms to submit traffic impact assessments pushes through.

During the public hearing yesterday, REBAP President Jose Leo Pacquiao said that since the proposal requires a traffic impact assessment fee, real estate developers will pass the additional cost to the clients.

The proposed ordinance was authored by Councilor Gerardo Carillo, contending that a “severe strain in its traffic situation” would be inevitable with the boom in the construction of high rise buildings, mixed-use complexes, and business parks in Cebu City.

Carillo said these construction activities have contributed to traffic congestion since there are developers that do not undertake traffic impact assessment before starting a project.

Pacquiao said the intention of the proposal is laudable but “why developers only? How about mall owners, big hotels, big universities, resorts, restaurants?”

Carillo said he will consider these questions during the City Council’s final deliberation of his proposal.

Meanwhile, Cebu City Traffic Operations Management operations chief Jonathan Tumulak said there are many contributory factors that affect the worsening traffic situation in the city.

These include the increasing volume of vehicles, lack of   traffic personnel, and number of road accidents. In 2014 alone, CITOM responded to at least 10,655 road-related alarms and accidents. 

Tumulak said Carillo’s proposal is one way to address the problem of traffic congestion. — (FREEMAN)