CEBU, Philippines - The South Road Properties might be closed to vehicles unless the proper traffic measures will be implemented, this was the threat made by Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama following numerous accidents in the area.
Rama warned the Department of Public Works and Highways, City Traffic Operations Management, SRP Management Office and Cebu-Bus Rapid Transit Office to institute additional traffic regulations otherwise the South Coastal Road will be closed.
He said they should not be complacent considering that over 1,000 vehicular accidents occurred at SRP since 2010. The most recent was Thursday when a car driven by a 21-year-old man hit a motorcycle leaving the driver in critical condition and the car smoldering on the road.
The areas identified as accident prone areas in SRP are El Pardo Street going to General Service Office warehouse, the baywalk near the Sugbo Building, the mouth of the viaduct near Ludo, the junction of Mambaling, and the bridge joining Cebu and Talisay cities.
Based on the data of CITOM, Cebu City’s vehicular accidents totaled to 60,888 from 2008 to 2013.
“We should treat this not just in as state of crisis but a big disaster. They should get their acts together to address this pressing concern,” Rama said.
“I don’t want SRP to be called as a killing and accident field, a physical injury field or damage to property field. It has to be stop. I’m treating it that there is an exigency, looking at it that there is crisis there,” he added.
He said the ballooning number of vehicular accidents is not a good picture for Cebu being the host of local and international events, such as this year’s Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit, the International Eucharistic Congress in 2016, the Meeting Incentive Convention, and Sinulog 2016, among others.
“The mayor will exercise police power in order to address this traffic crisis at the South Coastal Road,” he stressed.
Starting today, Rama said the 60-kilometer per-hour speed limit will be reduced to 40kph and vehicles have to maintain a “two-car distance” from each to prevent accidents. The city is set to purchase at least four speed guns amounting to P200,000 to be charged against local disaster fund.
He ordered DPWH to install more lampposts along the road to make SRP well-lit and placing speed control measures like rumble stripes, reflectorized road markings, and flashing “caution” lights.
The mayor also wants to see warning signs in different areas that are “visible and readable” for motorists and pedestrians.
To man the traffic, he directed DPWH and CITOM to deploy additional personnel at SRP serving 24/7.
CITOM operations chief Joy Tumulak said they have already deployed additional traffic mobile units at SRP to augment the two existing police units.
He also said proper and sufficient markings were installed on the road yesterday shortly after Rama’s orders.
To attain a peaceful flow of traffic, Tumulak is asking the motorist to follow traffic signs and be cooperative.
“Unsaon man nato ang measures kun dili mo-contribute ang mga motorists pinaagi sa saktong disipilina ug cooperation. We are appealing to the motorist to help us in this undertaking,” he said. — Kristine B. Quintas/BRP (FREEMAN)