City councilor: No road works during rush hour
Utility companies may soon not be allowed to conduct construction works on Cebu City’s main roads particularly during rush hours.
This as Cebu City Councilor Nestor Archival has filed “An ordinance Prohibiting Utility Companies to undertake construction works in main roads during rush hour within the jurisdiction of the City of Cebu, Providing Exception and Penalties thereto.”
On his draft, Archival cited pressing factors that motivated his proposed ordinance. Among these is the declaration of Cebu Province to be under traffic crisis last October 15, 2019, following the “long hours of daily commute and land travel in the metropolitan area”.
Aside from this, Archival also cited that Metro Cebu is economically losing at least P1.1 billion a day because of the unresolved traffic congestion, based on the initial results of a study released by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in 2018.
A citation on his proposal further shows that traffic in Metro Cebu is intensified during rush hours which are considered to start from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. and then 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. every day of the week.
“Aside from the mentioned factors, construction works undertaken by government agencies as well as public utility companies further contribute to the worsening traffic condition of the City of Cebu especially during rush hours,” reads the proposed ordinance.
According to Archival, construction works being done by utility companies, such as digging, create traffic congestion as it necessitates the closure of roads, lanes, and other thoroughfares, which has been “forcing motorists to wait in traffic queues slowly filtering past street works.”
He added that this source of traffic congestion can be reduced through the implementation of “sensible policies” to improve the efficiency of street works without compromising the traveling public.
In line with this, Archival says the proposed ordinance will help alleviate the traffic flow.
“Prevent as much as possible disruptions in commute, business, and transportation which lead to loss of opportunities and economic costs. Ease the flow of traffic during rush hours in order to fully utilize time and resources of constituents,” cites two more policies on the proposal.
The proposed ordinance was referred to the Committee on Law, Ordinances and Styling, Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and other utilities, and Committee on Infrastructure during the regular Cebu City council session last Wednesday, January 10, 2024.
PASIL ROAD ASPHALTING
Meanwhile, a more comfortable and improved path leading to the Pasil fish port is expected soon as asphalting of road going to the said area is now 95 percent complete.
The asphalting began last December for the convenience of the market goers and delivery of fishes and other seafoods.
Market administrator Robert Barquilla, in an interview with The Freeman, said right now the drainage system is being worked on.
“Hapit na jud mahuman. Ang drainage system ongoing ug naa lay area na e-asphalt lang,” said Barquilla, adding that based on his assessment, it is now 90 to 95 percent done.
Barquilla said they are continuously looking for more ways to further improve the Pasil fishport after the closure of the Bagsakan sa SRP. -