“Left turn” back on Escario Street

CEBU, Philippines- The experimental “no left turn policy” along Escario Street, Cebu City is no more.

This is after Mayor Michael Rama observed that traffic flow is better after the Cebu City Traffic Operations Management removed the concrete barriers dividing the opposing lanes.

“It (no left turn) may not be necessary, actually. If ever (adopted again) it may be on a case to case (basis); not substantial (implementation) like right now because na-widen ang road,” Rama said.

What remains are minor changes CITOM enforced following a series of walkthroughs Rama and traffic officials did in the past.

CITOM Operations Chief Jonathan Tumulak said traffic signs and traffic enforcers would still be deployed to assist motorists.

“Gi-implement ang ‘one way’ gikan sa Escario mosulod ka’g (Gov. M.) Roa Street going to Llorente (Street). Gi-implement pud nato ang ‘one way’ gikan Escario corner F. Ramos Extension ngadto sa Avila Street. Mao ra na ang changes didto,” Tumulak said, adding that 25 traffic enforcers are stationed in the street to enforce order.

CITOM Executive Director Rafael Yap said that the initial experiment of making Gov. M. Roa Street two-way was stopped and is now due for reassessment.

“We will incorporate that in the entire package of traffic rerouting in Escario (Street) and present it to the CITOM board,” Yap said.

As to Rama’s suggestion of using the internal road of the Capitol compound as traffic flow loop, Yap said he wants it implemented as soon as possible.

Rama said Cebu Governor Hilario Davide III has agreed to the plan, which would just be for private vehicles and only during day time.

Yap, though, said they have to present the scheme first to the CITOM board before its implementation to prepare for the possible impact.

Rama said that he wants the CITOM board to be an advisory board if the CITOM would later be “functional and operational” as department.

He revealed that he is currently looking for some to serve as department head as they are set to really making CITOM a City Hall department.

Pending that, Yap said any traffic experiment should have the CITOM board’s approval.  (FREEMAN)