Last Saturday night, I was like any other supportive classmate cheering on one of the candidates for Miss Cebu 2015. It was their pre-pageant night; a boardwalk of glitz, glamour and fun plus the public's chance to see the candidates in their greatest eloquence.
One of them mentioned Cebu's Traffic as one of the major problems in the city. True or False? I would say both, especially to a pure Cebuana like me who practically grew up in the city.
Firstly, when Mr. Victor Caindec was installed as the Cebu City Traffic Operations and Management executive director replacing Mr. Christopher Yap, there was a sudden change that took Cebu's street in a buzz. Instantly metal railings were seen at intersections and other streets that either meant "No entry", "No left turn", or "Don't insist on what you want."
Tuning on to a local radio, I heard Mr. Caindec saying that what Cebuanos lack is discipline. On top of the large volume of vehicles that are flowing in the city, there is no courtesy to both drivers and commuters. Take for example, a pedestrian lane. When I used to cross streets to and from the buildings in my university along Gorordo Avenue, I often picked fights with jeepney drivers who scolded me for crossing the street. Isn't that white stripped paint on the road a signal for my right to cross the street because there are no traffic lights? I could only ask for common sense. Another example are jeepney stops. There are huge yellow stripped paints beside the road where public vehicles are supposed to stop. What happens in reality? You could ask the jeepney to stop every five meters or so depending on your convenience. How irritating.
As commuter for more than half of my life, Cebu's traffic is like my heartbeat. One can count on me for alternative routes and rides within the metropolitan. A major concern of mine when it comes to the route on my way to and back home is the Banilad-Talamban area. True, this part of the city is the tightest of all chokepoints because of the many schools, shopping centers, and residential areas that are in this area. Last Friday on the way to my church (located at J. Panis St/Old Banilad road), I was shocked that there were jeepneys on this road. Later on, I was more shocked that the flow was smooth as compared to when this was not implemented. These are small changes that make a big impact, yet others choose to look at the downside of this all.
And so we cannot just complain that Cebu is too crowded and that there is a problem with the endless traffic jams. We also have to do our part if we want these blatant problems to be solved. The Cebu City Traffic Operations Management personnel are not supermen and women. In fact, they are maximizing their manpower just to decongest traffic. The more we talk and complain, the more that the traffic flow is getting slower. Unless we opt to walk instead of driving the car just to run errands nearby. Or ride a bike apart from riding a vehicle which only occupies more space on the road.
We have to accept the fact that Cebu is bustling and booming city. Let us be proud that the country's eyes are also on us because we have everything - business, art, tourism and the people all blended into one small island. If we want to retain the glamour of Cebu then we must also do our part as Cebuanos.
Now that the festivities will allow us to recollect on our past, let us reflect on our contribution for the next generation of Cebuanos. Will we keep on whining? Or simply do our part in making this place more livable then we ever imagined it to be? The answer lies in you.