Eleazar backs mass transit for Metro Cebu

CEBU, Philippines —  Partido Reporma senatorial candidate, retired police general Guillermo Eleazar, said traffic in Cebu could be addressed by ensuring that there is an effective mass transportation system.

Eleazar, who was in Cebu recently for a three-day campaign trail, said that expanding road networks is simply not enough since people could always buy more cars which will again clog the street.

The former Philippine National Police chief, in a radio guesting at RMN Cebu, was asked about the return of traffic problems especially in its major thoroughfares in Cebu City ever since COVID-19 restrictions were eased.

Eleazar said that traffic is a sign of a healthy economic activity but like any other things, too much of it could cause serious problems.

A study made by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) showed that the Philippines is projected to lose P5.4 billion to traffic daily by 2035 if the government fails to address traffic in Metro Manila alone.

“Kapag may traffic, maganda ang economic activity pero alam natin na may negative effects din ito. Maganda na mataas ang economic activity pero dapat nama-manage natin ang traffic,” Eleazar said in a statement.

He added that aside from this, the government should also start improving road networks in areas that are outside of Metro Cebu so that development will take place and people will no longer have to go to the city to work.

“Dapat i-decentralize rin natin at imbes na pondohan ng pondohan ang mas maraming road network in a concentrated area, ilabas na natin ang economic development sa metropolitan or central area which is iyon naman ang ginagawa na sa Cebu area,” he said.

“Makikita natin na ‘yung mga kapitbahay na lungsod o bayan, doon na pumupunta ang economic development. Mapapalawak pa iyan by planning for mass transportation,” he added.

All of these recommendations, according to Eleazar, are part of a long-term solution to address Cebu’s traffic woes.

As for the short-term solution, he said that the implementation of traffic laws should be equal to everybody, and the “palakasan” or “padrino” system should be eliminated. — GMR (FREEMAN)