CSCR safety ordinance in the works

CEBU, Philippines — An ordinance to promote safety on the Cebu South Coastal Road (CSCR) facilities by prohibiting pedestrians and other activities, and by providing enforcement mechanisms, is now underway to address the number of accidents in the area.

This is the proposed ordinance of Councilor Rey Gealon, which stemmed from data gathered by the Cebu City Transportation Office (CCTO), revealing that from January 1 to March 31, 2023, a total of 2,132 vehicular accidents occurred in Cebu City.

During the same period, 239 incidents were recorded within the CSCR corridor, considered a crucial road infrastructure linking Cebu City to neighboring localities facilitating the movement of goods and people.

The ordinance shall be called the “Cebu South Coastal Road Safety Ordinance of 2025.”

The ordinance prohibits pedestrians, bicycles, skateboards, e-scooters, personal mobility devices, carts, animal-drawn conveyances, and any other non-motorized or low-powered vehicles from entering or traversing any portion of the Cebu South Coastal Road, viaduct, or tunnel.

“It is prohibited for pedestrians or any individual to enter or traverse any portion of the Cebu South Coastal Road for the purpose of committing acts of vandalism against motorists,” an excerpt of the ordinance reads.

It also prohibits motorized vehicles from making a full stop in the CSCR tunnel to shelter from the rain or for any other non-emergency reason.

However, it was also outlined that the prohibition shall not apply to government personnel engaged in the actual enforcement of traffic rules and regulations in the CSCR; or to passengers or drivers who, due to a vehicle breakdown, traffic accident, medical emergency, force majeure, or any other bona fide emergency, are compelled to stop.

The ordinance also mandates the CCTO to be primarily responsible for the implementation of the guidelines it carries.

As for the penalties, the ordinance imposes fines from ?2,000 and up to one year of imprisonment for violations. — BRP (CEBU NEWS)