Gwen to drivers: Obey first and wait for Tom to return

Governor Gwen Garcia has urged drivers of the Mandaue-Cebu route to obey the Cebu City ordinance banning them from plying city streets until Mayor Tomas Osmeña returns from his travel abroad and discuss with him things to resolve the conscientious traffic issue.

Garcia said that it is better for Mandaue drivers to continue obeying the ban until she could find ways to settle with Mayor Osmeña the issue that has spawned conflicts between the drivers and Cebu City traffic enforcers.

City Ordinance 1837 prohibits intra-city PUJ's from entering specific streets in Cebu City, such as Osmeña Boulevard, and this drew protests from the drivers who insisted that the prohibited streets were included in their original franchises.

The conflict worsened when Cebu City enforcers engaged in a violent encounter against the indignant drivers who tried to defy the ordinance.

Garcia, who the drivers sought for intervention, vowed to talk things with Mayor Osmeña to find ways for a peaceful resolution but she asked the drivers meanwhile to respect the ordinance and avoid heated confrontations with authorities.

Anthony Pogado, the chairman of the Nagkahiusang Driver's sa Sugbu, announced last week that they will temporarily stopped taking the prohibited Osmeña Boulevard, as his group's show of respect to Garcia's request. - Flor Z. Perolina