CEBU, Philippines — Some local government units (LGUs) in Cebu are not allowing their traffic employees to take a leave during the holidays to ensure that there will be enough people in the streets to man the traffic.
Glenn Antigua, chief of the Traffic Enforcement Agency of Mandaue (TEAM), said that their traffic enforcers are expected not to take a leave until the Traslacion for the fiesta of Señor Sto. Niño next year.
Other LGUs which will implement the no-leave order are Naga City and Lapu-Lapu City while Consolacion, Minglanilla, Talisay City and San Fernando will reschedule their Christmas party.
Provincial Focal Person on Traffic Management Jonathan Tumulak said that the traffic managers have assured them that the roads will not be left unattended during the holiday rush.
“Dunay ubang area no nga mopadayon (sa party) pero nipasalig man sila namo nga dili nila pabiyaag personnel ang dalan,” he said.
Tumulak added that the LGUs are expected to be on ‘full alert’ in terms of traffic management as early as December 15.
Cebu Governor Hilario Davide III said that he called the traffic managers of Metro Cebu to convene, including the highly urbanized cities of Cebu and Lapu-Lapu, in order to prevent another horrible traffic situation like last year.
Two days before Christmas last year, the commuters were stuck for twice to thrice their usual travel time due to a heavily congested traffic situation in the south.
“We do not want nga mahitabo (sama) sa miaging tuig sa Minglanilla. By far, mao toy worst traffic nga nasinati diri sa ato,” the governor said in his opening speech.
Regional Director Victor Caindec of the Land Transportation Office (LTO-7) also pledged support through deputizing more traffic enforcers or cops upon the recommendation of their office heads.
“We are not just managing traffic. Our aim is to ensure safe roads for everyone,” he said.
Moratorium
On the other hand, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has agreed to follow the moratorium on road projects within Cebu City starting December 16. In the other areas in Metro Cebu, the agency also pledged to coordinate with their contractors to pull out the heavy equipment, if needed, so that the roads can accommodate more vehicles.
However, DPWH-7 Assistant Regional Director Mario Montejo clarified that there are projects that cannot be temporarily suspended this Yuletide season such as the works on the depression road in Barangay Mambaling in Cebu City and the repair of the Mananga bridge in Barangay Tabunok in Talisay City. (FREEMAN)