Private firm to operate city's traffic lights

The City Bids and Awards Committee-Technical Group has awarded a contractor to help the City Traffic Operations Management maintain and operate its traffic lights and fix defective signal lights.

The Cebu 7H Technochem Industries Incorporated, a private company that specializes in the field of traffic management, was awarded after it posted the lowest bid of P4,986,077.67.

Councilors Sylvan Jakosalem, Procopio Fernandez and Raul Alcoseba, the proponents of the resolution to the effect, said the contractor began the repair of traffic signals last October 16 after the committee awarded them.

Last year, data in traffic control boxes of 78 city intersections was erased causing traffic signals to go haywire. As a results of the loss, city's traffic lights changed simultaneously that vehicles at all four ends of an intersections would get a go signal all at the same time, instead of one after the other.

If the proposed resolution of councilors Jakosalem, Fernandez and Alcoseba will be approved on Wednesday's council session, the city council will authorize Mayor Tomas Osmeña to enter into a contract agreement with Cebu 7H Technochem Industries Inc., for maintenance and operations of the traffic signals.

"The project will undeniably benefit the public as the same is made for the purpose of providing a safe, effective and efficient traffic system," the proposed resolution said.

Under the terms and conditions, the contractors will replace all bulbs for the 78 intersections. They will also repair, replace and rehabilitate the defective loop for 65 units including the refurbish the controller cabinets for 26 intersections.

The contractor will also be responsible for maintenance of all equipment in the control center and traffic signals. - Garry B. Lao/BRP