Stricter borders bring heavy traffic

CEBU, Philippines — Heavy traffic greeted the first day of the reestablishment of the stricter border controls in Cebu City.

Alma Fe Casimero, head of the Cebu City Transportation Office, said this was the result of the strengthening again of the city’s border control following an increase in the number of new cases this past week.

“Karon adlawa na gyud ni-start. Ato na gyu’ng ma-experience nga nihuot nasad. Naa nasa’y mga traffic tungod sa mga borders nga gibantayan gyud sa atoang PNP (Philippine National Police) nga na-assign sa borders ug kaning atoang mga personnel,” said Casimero.

“Ang atong mga kadalanan, ato gyu’ng makita nga gagmay ra gyud siya unya naa pa ta’y mga operations gipanghimo, so mao na nga mas modugang sa kahuot,” she added.

Last Saturday night, when the city logged 59 new cases, the most number of additional cases in a single day for the past 107 days, Mayor Edgardo Labella announced that starting November 16, border control around the city will be strengthened as a measure to contain the spread of COVID-19.

“Dili nato malikayan nga huot jud siya, pero manageable raman siya. Kailangan gyud nato nga ipatuman kung unsa ang kasugoan sa atoang syudad,” said Casimero.

“Actually, katong mga borders sauna. Naa raman gyud na diha gihapon, pero niluag lang ta atong sauna but karon gipahugtan nasad balik. Naa ra diha gihapon ang mga huot nga lugar,” she said.

Casimero, however, said a heavier traffic situation is expected once the traditional jeepneys return to the city streets.

“Dili pajud na mao. Naa pa gyu’y mas traffic nga atong maexperience. Ngano man? Padaganon naman sad nato ang jeepneys, so possibly, dili lang jud siya kana lang, huot pa gyud na,” said Casimero.

It was earlier reported that some 1,355 public utility jeepneys (PUJs) plying a total of 18 routes would be allowed to hit the streets of the city once again.

Labella said these PUJs, which had been barred from plying since the coronavirus pandemic hit the city way back in March, can immediately resume operation as soon as they are able to secure approval and the necessary permits.

Since PUJs are yet to return and some commuters only rely on the buses plying the city streets, Casimero reminded them to be always cautious.

“Sa atong mga commuters, di nato kalimtan nga naa pa ta sa hugot nga pagpatuman sa atong health protocols. Magbantay lang gyud ta ug mag-amping lang gyud ta nga dili ta makakuha og sakit. Magsocial distancing ta, wear ta og face mask, of course, hygiene, manghugas ta sa atong mga kamot,” she said.

“If possible, kung walay kailangan jud nga moari ta diri sa syudad, di nalang ta moari diri og magsuroy-suroy lang or moari lang gyud sa syudad nga walay tuyo para malikayan nato ang paspas nga transmission,” she continued.

Cebu City’s active COVID-19 cases were up to 292 after recording 30 additional cases on Sunday, November 15, 2020, according to the Department of Health in Central Visayas data.

The city has been under the relaxed modified general community quarantine status since September. — JMD (FREEMAN)