Rama, Davide back Osmeña on counterflowing
Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña’s policy to impound counterflowing vehicles for one month has gained the support of his political nemesis and other officials.
Former mayor Michael Rama said he fully supports Osmeña on it. In fact, he even wanted a more drastic penalty against the erring drivers.
“Gusto man gani nako nga i-revoke ang mga lisensya sa mga driver nga masakpang mo-counterflow kay risgo kaayo na ang ilang gibuhat ngadto sa ubang motorista,” Rama said.
Aside from Rama, Cebu Governor Hilario Davide III said he is also willing to implement it in the province.
"Of course I’m in favor of that, ang problema man gyud sa atong mga drivers kay kulang og disiplina, wherever you go… Kulang ta og disiplina, mao nay problem nato diri sa Sugbo, bisa’g asa lang parking, mamasada bisa’g asa lang, mao nay makapainit sa ulo bitaw" Davide said.
The existing law imposes a fine of more than P1,000 on drivers caught counterflowing if they are issued a Temporary Operators Permit (TOP).
But the fine is much cheaper if violators are only issued traffic citation ticket from the local government unit.
Rama suggested that the existing P500 fine under the city traffic ordinance shall be raised to P2,000 or more.
“Kon pwede nga multa lang, basin og mahimo ra nga dili na lang ipaimpound ang sakyanan,” he said.
The city’s traffic ordinance does not include impoundment as penalty for vehicles whose drivers are caught counterflowing.
Osmeña said he will issue an executive order next week to impound vehicles apprehended for counterflowing traffic.
Davide said the policy will help instill discipline to the drivers. The governor said he is open to adopt it in the province. He, however, admitted it may not be applicable in some small roads in the towns.
Davide said that the policy must also exempt ambulances bringing patient to hospital and police vehicles used by authorities in responding crimes and other emergencies.
Davide also noted that aside from erring drivers, another contributing factor to the traffic problem in Cebu is the delay in the removal of vehicles involved in traffic accidents.
“Kanang dunay aksidente bitaw, kanang di dayon mabira, mao nay maka traffic gyud, kinahanglan i-pull out na dayon sila,” Davide said, adding that investigation conducted by enforcers would also take time.
Meanwhile, Land Transportation Office-7 director Victor Caindic also supports Omeña’s plan.
“We fully support the Mayor with that move because we feel that would help further enhance discipline on the roads particularly in the city of Cebu, kita ta kon unsa kalisod ang traffic” Caindic said.
He said counterflowing constitutes "reckless driving" and the penalties are already set for drivers violating it