Rama wants Capitol’s help to solve problem

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu City government will be working closely with the Cebu provincial government to maintain the smooth traffic flow along Banilad-Talamban road.

Mayor Michael Rama said Governor Hilario Davide III plays a big role in solving the traffic problem in the area because there are properties along the Ban-Tal road that are under the management of the Capitol.

 “I wish the governor will also be doing (his part). Dako kaayo og play ang governor actually kay naa man silay property diha. There is something that needs to be done,” Rama said.

 After meeting with the affected people last week, Rama said the traffic flow is already normal.

“I was there, I went also walking pagka alas dyes (10 a.m.) wa naman (heavy traffic). Makita gyud nimo basta motuman lang gyud ang mga tawo wana gani’y CITOM (Cebu City Traffic Operations Management) didto, it’s all about the discipline, consideration, and sensitivity,” he said.

 He has also been talking to some of the owners who agreed to sit back their properties for the wider road without asking any amount of compensation from the city.

Rama is also asking the University of San Carlos-Talamban Campus to respond to the problem.

“I am appealing (to) University of San Carlos because there is really a structure there undeniably (causes heavy traffic flow).  If they will not participate it could also be additional problem to the traffic flow,” he said.

 Last week, during the meeting with the affected people on the “no left turn” policy, suggestions to solve the traffic problem in the area came up that included intensifying CITOM visibility, installing additional traffic lights, building skywalks for pedestrians, among others.

 Rama said these are achievable if everyone has discipline and cooperation.

 He added that they should not depend on the city government in solving the problem because this is their challenge.

 Presently, there is the Ban-Tal Traffic Management Board composed of 18 members from Talamban, Banilad, Kasambagan barangay officials, Land Transportation Office, Cebu City Police Office, CITOM, among others, that will respond to this problem.  (FREEMAN)