CEBU, Philippines - To monitor motorists taking the South Road Properties (SRP), Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama suggested that city vehicles will be on standby 24/7 in order to aid motorists that will encounter accidents.
Rama said he wants the Cebu Integrated Traffic Operations Management (CITOM) to have this because other motorists might grab the chance to over speed because it’s a holiday.
“CITOM has already identified the accident prone areas. Now, to avoid over speeding and immediately respond to accidents, vehicles will be deployed there,†Rama told reporters.
But said this may not be possible soonest due to unavailability of vehicles.
“Right now, I can’t see 24/7 nga naa tay vehicles karon. Daghan mobile cars nga giayo,†Rafael Yap, acting Citom department head, told The FREEMAN.
Yap said that they only have five 4-wheel drive vehicles, five multicabs, one tow truck, and two flat-bed (elf canter) trucks.
He also noted that apart from those under repair, some of these vehicles are being borrowed by other departments in the city government.
In lieu of patrol vehicles, CITOM said the “more important†and achievable action is installing early warning devices at the identified accident prone areas.
“Our priority is putting signs, which is more important kay dili kaayo ta blind in terms of entering the tunnel. Our resources cannot entirely deal with the demands so we will prioritize the signs,†he added.
His staff members are currently determining the exact location where these signs will be placed.
Despite being a holiday, Rama reiterated the need to enforce the speed limit to avoid any untoward accidents especially with motorists possibly rushing to go to their respective hometowns for the long vacation.
Rama wanted the round-the-clock SRP patrol to be permanent and not just this coming Holy Week.
Meanwhile, the mayor also called for “multi-sectoral†action in addressing the identified dangers posed by existing infrastructures especially flyovers.
“We will talk to the chamber of commerce, DPWH (Department of Public Works and Highways) among others. Let it be handled multi-sectorally. Apil pa gani ang mga contractors,†Rama said.
The mayor will be attending their monthly meeting to personally relay his message.
“Don’t rely only on what ought to be constructed as designed. When you notice the design to be a structure awaiting a number of accidents, you sit down with government and discuss the threats that you see,†Rama said explaining his message to the contractors. (FREEMAN)