Traffic body bats for new measure

CEBU, Philippines – In a bid to find solution to traffic congestion in the business center of Tabunok, especially during rush hours, the City of Talisay-Traffic Operations and Development Authority recommended before Vice Mayor Romeo Villarante for enactment of legislative measure for loading and unloading area for Cebu City-bound passenger vehicles.

CT-TODA planning officer Placido Labajo said Cebu City-bound passenger jeepneys do not have their terminal for loading and unloading.

"Please be informed that until now, Cebu City-bound passenger jeepneys do not yet have a modest terminal and they are temporarily occupying the area under the flyover," Placido said.

According to Placido, the continued occupancy is based only on a premise that it is approved in principle.

However, Section 26 of SP Ordinance No. 2012-09 provides that designated loading and unloading areas for public utility vehicles within Tabunok shall be determined by CT-TODA Council though an ordinance or regulation from time to time, taking into consideration the existing and future conditions of the designated area.

It is also for these reasons that there are public utility vehicles making illegal trips into the city. There are groups of PUJ plying the Tabunok-Cebu City route that continue doing illegal trips, CT-TODA noted.

To address the problem, Placido recommended before Villarante that the area under the flyover in the Tabunok will be temporarily designated as loading and holding area for Cebu City-bound vehicles.

Villarante is the chairman of CT-TODA, as well as the council presiding officer.