Why are vehicles allowed to park along the CSCR?

The Cebu South Coastal Road has helped a lot of residents from the southern part of the metro. Because of the influx of people using the road, the area has become lucrative for different kinds of businesses. Sadly, however, because of these businesses, the road has become a big parking lot for clients and nobody seems to be addressing the problem.

I am one of the many people from the southern part of the metro who benefit from the Cebu South Coastal Road. The road, which was opened to the public sometime in 2005, has made traveling from the south to Cebu City easier. What used to be a 45-minute to an hour travel time via jeepney from Talisay City where I live, to The FREEMAN office in downtown Cebu, is now just 10 to 15 minutes via the CSCR. Private motorists and those taking taxis are not the only ones who benefit from the coastal road. Many people try their luck at hitching for rides at the entrance to Cebu City's South Road Properties where the coastal road starts. Try checking out the SRP entrance near the City Hall and you'll know what I mean.

Cebu City is very strict with implementing rules and regulations at the coastal road portion which belongs to their jurisdiction because of the South Road Properties. Pedestrians are not allowed to roam around the area and vehicles cannot just stop or park there. In fact, there are policemen who patrol the area 24/7.

It is a different story, however, in the Talisay side of the coastal road. In Talisay, the CSCR traverses through residential areas with many people, tricycles and trisikads, etc. The influx of motorists in the area because of the coastal road has paved the way for businesses like sari-sari stores and carenderias.

And this is where the problem starts. First, these businesses encroach on what is supposed to be the sidewalk. Tires for sale, firewood, charcoal, tables and chairs are now on the sidewalks of the CSCR. I even saw a videoke machine on the sidewalk! Second, the patrons of these businesses park along the road, reducing the space of what is supposed to be a two-lane road. And to top all these, the Talisay City government does not seem to mind or does not know what to do about the problem!

I am not a traffic expert but isn't a highway supposed to be free of obstructions such as parked vehicles? Motorists are supposed to maintain a speed while traversing a highway such as the Cebu South Coastal Road. But how can a motorist do that if there are obstructions such as parked vehicles? And I am not just talking about one or two parked vehicles but a long line of cars, and even trucks!

The Talisay City government should immediately do something about this problem. They should implement traffic rules at the CSCR just like what Cebu City is doing. If the Talisay City government continues to ignore the problem, then I can safely conclude that nobody sitting at the Talisay City Hall knows anything about traffic at all!

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