DPWH-7 told: Upgrade safety measures at SRP tunnel
Due to the recent collision happened in the South Road Properties (SRP) tunnel, the Cebu City Council has requested the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) -7 to conduct necessary inspection and to upgrade safety measures.
Barug Team Rama affiliated councilor Raymond Alvin Garcia sponsored the resolution asking DPWH to look into the matter in order to prevent more untoward accidents from happening.
The approved resolution states that the collision which injured at least 12 individuals last January 17 serves as an "eye-opener" that there is a need to improve the tunnel's security and safety measures.
"Resolved as it is hereby resolved to request the DPWH under which to conduct the necessary inspection and upgrade of the safety measures being implemented in the tunnel," the resolution reads.
Further, the city council has also requested DPWH to have the SRP streets lighted at par with safety standards practiced by first world countries.
The city council has also approved Garcia's motion to schedule for an executive session this coming February 13 with invited speakers from DPWH, the Land Transportation Office, Cebu City Transportation Office, SRP Management Office and the street lighting division of the city.
"I have done a lot of research regarding the tunnel, I would like to move for an executive session regarding the tunnel safety standards particularly for this tunnel. I have done my research and I think this is very important because it's not a matter simply of lighting, it's also, I learned that those big electric fans that's on the tunnel in other countries those are computerized, whereas if there is an accident it will automatically open and what is also imperative is the color of walls in the tunnel. All of these things are very important in tunnel and safety so I would like to call for an executive session," Garcia said.
The city council has also invited the contractor of the tunnel in order to shed light on existing safety standards.
"I would like to suggest to not limit ourselves on the lighting Mr. Chairman what I have said earlier also on the load of the top of the tunnel and if member Garcia would agree that if the contractor of the tunnel if they have an office here maybe we can also invite them so that they shed light on that particular aspect on the load," said Councilor Jocelyn Pesquera.
Pesquera has raised this matter after she observed that a number of vehicles have been parking on top of the tunnel which may affect the integrity of its structure.
In an interview, DPWH-7 regional director Engineer Ador Canlas told The FREEMAN that they support the move of the city council, adding that they have regularly inspects the SRP tunnel.
"Of course we support that request of the honorable councilor and just to remind you, the DPWH, the maintenance people are consistently and regularly conducting inspections, making sure that SRP is properly maintained. If you have observed we improved the lightings there, we painted the walls so that it would be brighter, " he said.
Canlas said that among the factors that contribute to road accidents is lack of discipline among drivers.
"I think one contributing factor of the accident is the discipline of the driver. Hopefully, this is not only the concern of DPWH, not only be a function of LGU ( Local Government Unit) but also a concern of everybody," he said.
As a way of addressing road accidents at the tunnel, the city government will soon use speed guns to detect fast-moving vehicles.
The city has already ordered two speed guns, which will help authorities monitor and run after those who exceed the speed limit at the SRP.
City Ordinance 801 or the Traffic Code of Cebu City requires motorists to observe the 40 kph speed limit. Article 7 Section 2 of the ordinance states that vehicles passing highways and streets without blind corners are only allowed a maximum speed of 40 kph.
City Transportation Office operation's head Francisco "Isko" Ouano said motorists have to heed the speed limit to help curb vehicular accidents in the area.
Ouano said accidents occur at the SRP every week because motorists do not observe the allowed speed limit.