Two separate events took place in Cebu City within the last 72 hours. One could be considered as a routine media activity and the other could be characterized as a political ploy. I am referring first to the presentation of Mr. Ruben Almendras, of his compact points in solving the traffic problem of the city. The second event was the meeting of His Honor, Cebu City Mayor Michael L. Rama, with the members of the Sanggunian Panlungsod composing the group called Bando Osmena Pundok Kauswagan (BOPK).
If we were to explore their plausible repercussions, we would realize that those two events were not as ordinary as they seemed to be. They could serve as foundations for great things to happen from which we, the Cebuanos, might benefit immensely. If circumstances could jell, as they should, in the very near future, those two events can usher our version of a golden era not entirely different from the success of the late US President Dwight Eisenhower.
Let me explain why. Mr. Almendras hit the proverbial head of the nail in his exposition that our traffic woes can be solved with simultaneous widening of city roads. His proposal was not unlike what Pres. Ike did in starting to construct the US Inter-state highways.Next time we meet him, we should congratulate Mr. Almendras, for putting in a very precise context our yearning for a correct remedy to our deteriorating traffic malaise. With him at the helm of an office designed to manage our traffic, the opinions we raised many times over these many years can find a champion to advocate on.
The key words are "widening of streets". We must remember that Cebu City grew without the benefit of advanced planning. By its favorable geographical location, our city was the trade center in the southern part of the country (and it will continue to be so). Merchants from all over Visayas and Mindanao came and continue to come to our place to do business.Roads were constructed as the need arose. With the flourishing of business hereabout, our population has multiplied much faster than what our government could anticipate. City streets have remained as they are, like they were, for decades, when but few hundred vehicles rolled over them.
To drive home this point, let me recall that in a city council session, almost a generation ago, we all acknowledged that ours "is a 15 minute city". At that time, we could start driving a car from Kasambagan, the northern most barangay, and reach Tabunok-Pardo, the southernmost village, in just 15 minutes. But, even then, we agreed that our roads, if only to prepare for the future, such as today, had to be widened. For that purpose, we approved of a Revised Road Ordinance. Unfortunately, it had not been implemented for the simple reason of lack of necessary funds.
The statement of Mr. Almendras is the most emphatic assertion on how to address our present traffic problem. He knows that Cebu City is no longer "a 15 minute city". And because it comes from the head of the office entrusted with this concern, it carries a persuasive weight. If only we have the attendant budget . . .
The meeting called by our honorable mayor showed his attempt to ask the BOPK members to work hand in hand for our city. More than just political ploy, it was a great move in good governance. Of course, we could understand why not all councilors aligned with the former Cebu City south district congressman attended it. Woe to them who missed the affair for they lost an opportunity to project the image of sincere public service orientation.
Now, if the BOPK should heed the mayor's call for cooperation, the first thing that can grow out of that sense of unity of purpose is for them to work in earnest for the sale of a portion of the South Road Properties at the soonest possible time. The money that can be realized from such sale can finance the huge monetary undertaking that the "simultaneous road widening" mentioned by Mr. Almendras is likely to incur.When two heads agree, (that of the mayor's and the BOPK's), I see a great achievement forthcoming.
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Email: aa.piramide@gmail.com.