Rama: No stopping at USC-TC

CEBU, Philippines - Aside from prohibiting left-turning vehicles from crossing the Banilad-Talamban road, Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama has ordered that all kinds of vehicles would no longer be allowed to stop in front of the University of San Carlos Talamban Campus to avoid traffic obstruction.

Yesterday, together with Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella and several City Hall department heads, Rama walked the said road for about four hours starting from the corner of Salinas Drive by the flyover right next to the Technical Education Skills Development Authority compound up to Barangay Talamban.

Rama’s purpose in walking that particular stretch of the Ban-Tal road, which was often characterized by heavy traffic, was for him and his department heads to personally observe the situation, which should have been solved with the construction of three flyovers there.

The government has built three flyovers totaling over P600 million at the corner of S. Fortuna Street in Barangay Banilad; corner Salinas Drive in Barangay Luz near TESDA, and another at the corner of Escario Street near Cebu Business Park.

Rama, however, lamented that traffic is still heavy in the area.

“Bisan og anaa na ang tulo ka flyover project nakasulbad ba gud na problema sa traffic sa (With the presence of the three flyovers, has the traffic problem been solved already at) Ban-Tal?” he asked.

He ordered that vehicles should be barred from stopping at the front of USC-TC after observing that the path of passing vehicles was usually blocked by public utility jeepneys and private vehicles stopping in front of the school campus for passengers to disembark.

Rama even instructed his traffic czar, Ruben Almendras, to speak with school officials on the possibility of moving the school’s concrete fence further back in to allow more road shoulder to help minimize traffic congestion in the area.

The mayor also noticed that some houses in the area have already encroached the sidewalks, prompting him to instruct City Attorney Gerone Castillo to take legal action against the said “public nuisance.”

Since last Monday, vehicles coming from the vicinity of Gaisano Country Mall are not allowed to make a left-turn to Paradise Village, while vehicles coming from the city are also not allowed to make a left turn to Gaisano Country Mall.

Also yesterday, some residents of Santo Niño Village in Barangay Banilad likewise complained why they can no longer turn left and cross the street to turn left for Cebu City.

Rama told them that in some major roads in Manila such policy has been implemented to prevent traffic obstruction.

“Ang maayo nga dili lang ang atong interes ang tan-awon, kon dili ang kaayohan sa kadaghanan (That better thing to do is not to only look at our own interest but also that of the general public),” the mayor added.

During the walk, members of the Prevention Restoration Order Beautification Enhancement confiscated improvised tables and other items that were placed along the sidewalk, obstructing the passage of pedestrians.  Three truck-loads of tables and other obstacles were taken from the sidewalks, while some illegally-parked vehicles were clamped by traffic enforcers                            

Also, Rama said the “no left turn” policy is now being implemented in bigger intersections like Salinas Drive Extension from Lahug to the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel & Casino; Gov. Cuenco Avenue to Jose Maria Del Mar Street; Gaisano Country Mall to Paradise Village; Talamban to Gullas Medical Center, Sto. Niño Village, Dona Rita Village, and University of San Carlos-Talamban; Molave street to Arch. Reyes; Arch. Reyes to Ayala; Paradise Village to Gov. Cuenco; and vice versa.

The policy is also being observed in some areas uptown, including IT Park, Waterfront Cebu City Hotel & Casino and Archbishop  Reyes Avenue. Vehicles in these areas would have to make u-turn only at Juan Luna Avenue.

On the other hand, vehicles from the Ayala Mall going to Talamban could only make a u-turn at the Cabangcalan area, while those coming from the Ma. Luisa Village may turn left at Bonifacio Street.

“I-observe ni for one week but it doesn’t mean nga maundang na,” Rama said adding that a resolution has to be passed for the full-implementation of the “no left turn” policy.

With the implementation of the traffic policy, the mayor is set to meet with the stakeholders, subdivision owners, universities and hospital officials and personnel, barangay officials, Department of Public Works and Highways, and other concerned agencies and entities to discuss the move.—(FREEMAN)