Talisay City plans phase out of old motorcycles off streets

Phasing out of old and dilapidated motorcycles-for-hire off city streets will be implemented possibly next month, said the city's Traffic Commission yesterday.

Vice Mayor Aberdovey Belleza, commission chairman, said these types of vehicles not only contribute to traffic congestion but also endanger the lives of passengers and drivers.

"Naay ubang mga motorcycle, mga kagangkagang, hapit na lang ilang pasahero matagak tungod sa kagubaon," Belleza said, as he stressed the need to put these out of the streets.

Belleza said the commission has already agreed in principle over the plan, which needs an ordinance from the city council to be enforced by January.

The vice mayor, however, assured that public hearing and consultations will be done on the plan while being deliberated in the council.

Belleza also bared he would ask Mayor Socrates Fernandez to implement fully the city's towing ordinance to control and regulate unlawful parking and stopping at some parts of city streets.

"With the increasing number of vehicles running through the city, parking or stopping at undesignated areas has become rampant, impeding the smooth flow of traffic," Belleza said.

The designated tow-away zones are the whole stretch of the South Reclamation area and the Cebu South Coastal Road, from the boundary of Cebu City to N. Bacalso Avenue junction in barangays Linao and Lawaan, the Gaisano-Tabunok Street to Rabaya Street, and the national road from Tabunok flyover to barangay Lagtang.

To claim towed vehicles, drivers or owners shall pay first to the city treasurer the penalty, which is P1,500 for light vehicles (with engine displacement of 1600cc and below), P2,500 for medium vehicles (1601cc to 2800cc), and P3,000 for heavy vehicles (2801cc and above).

Seventy percent of the fines collected from violators of the ordinance will go to the Talisay City Traffic Commission while the rest goes to the city coffers. - Garry B. Lao