Drainage project in Minglanilla causes much heavier traffic

CEBU, Philippines - Traffic from Talisay City to Minglanilla is much heavier now due to the ongoing construction of drainage at Sitio Lipata in Barangay Linao, Minglanilla.

The drainage is a project of the Department of Public Works and Highways under project contractor AR Adlawan.

Town administrator Concordio Mejias said the drainage construction would be from Barangay Lawaan in Talisay City until Barangay Pakigne in Minglanilla.

To help address the numerous complaints from motorists and passengers, Mejias said they will request AR Adlawan to undertake the project during nighttime.

Chief Inspector Florendo Fajardo, chief of Minglanilla Police Station, also backed Mejias' suggestion.

"Hangyo lang 'ta nga during gabii, mga 9 p.m. to 4 a.m. para dili 'ta kaistorbo," Fajardo said.

Mejias admitted that he personally experienced heavy traffic in the area, as well as the other town officials, saying that Talisay would also be affected due to the traffic in Minglanilla.

Mejias disclosed that the DPWH started the construction work in April.

He said they asked the DPWH to temporarily stop the construction and resume after the elections.

True to their words, the DPWH stopped and resumed the construction of the drainage in August until at present.

According to Fajardo, there is no single day that the town does not experience heavy traffic.

He said traffic congestion most of the time starts at the intersection of Tungkil, Minglanilla and in front of Gaisano Minglanilla, especially during peak hours like after school and office hours.

He added that at least three vehicular incidents are reported in Minglanilla everyday.

He even mandated traffic police personnel to settle vehicular incidents for about three minutes to avoid bumper-to-bumper traffic.

Both Fajardo and Mejias are hopeful that the project contractor will listen to their request.  (FREEMAN)