Green Loop experiment today

CEBU, Philippines -  At least four major thoroughfares in Cebu City are expected to experience traffic congestion today as the “Green Loop” experiment will be tested, according to the City Traffic Operations Management.

CITOM operations head Joy Tumulak said that areas that will most likely feel the congestion are General Maxilom Avenue, Gorordo Avenue, Escario Street and Osmeña Boulevard which are identified as the green loop route.

With this, Tumulak advised the public to plan their appointments today if they do not want to be delayed.

“Mas maayo gyod nga molakaw na lang og sayo ang planado ang lakaw para dili maalanganin ang oras ug dili kaayo congested,” he said.

Tumulak said that there is no rerouting for the event, adding that lanes will just be shared by motorists, pedestrians and vehicles.

Since the event will start at 3 p.m., he said that they will start closing the roads at 2 p.m. to give way to preparations such as putting up rope barriers to delineate the halves of the roads, installing different activity booths, and the like.

He said that at least 30 traffic enforcers will be deployed to assist motorists before, during and after the event.

The Movement for a Livable Cebu (MLC), one of the organizers of the event, said the objectives of the occasion is to improve mobility, air quality, lessen vehicles in the streets, among others.

MLC lead convenor Marc Canton said that there will be more experiments to be done to determine if the scheme is doable and viable. He said they will assess every experiment with the city government and consider the social impacts and make possible recommendations.

“We’re ready for any comments or complaints, but I hope the general public would consider the positive impact of this scheme,” he said.

The four-hour experiment will also offer activities like zumba, yoga, flow arts, puso-making, biking clinics, skateboarding cli-nics, arnis, among others.  (FREEMAN)