Restoration of order on city sidewalks, streets ordered

CEBU, Philippines - Acting Mayor Michael Rama has ordered the heads of the City Traffic Operations Management and the Squatters Prevention and Encroachment Elimination Division to intensify clearing operations of roads against jaywalkers and the sidewalks of illegal vendors.

Rama told CITOM executive officer Arnel Tancinco and SPEED chief Vicente Mercado to carry out actively their respective task of restoring the order on sidewalks, “even by just making proper arrangements of the vendors so that they will not continue to block passageways and that the city roads would be cleared of any obstacles.”

Ambulant vendors who crisscross the street as they ply their wares should also be arrested, this was suggested.

“Dili ba bati man kaayo tan-awon nga dakpon nila ang mga tawo nga magpataka lang og labang nga ‘Go’ pa ang signal unya tan-awon lang ang maninda’g sigarilyo nga maglabang-labang sa karsada?” pedestrian Venancio de la Torre of barangay Luz said.

But for cigarette vendor Ricardo “Boy” Castillo, he said that they should not be apprehended for the reason that they are eking out a living.

Another problem that contributes traffic congestions in major intersections, particularly at Colon Street corner Osmeña Boulevard and P. Lopez, is the non-enforcement of the so-called “junction box” ordinance.

In the said ordinance, drivers of any vehicles caught inside the solid yellow lines drawn on road intersections blocking the flow of traffic, will be apprehended and will be slapped with P1,000 fine for every violation.

“Off and on man sab god ang ilang pagpanakop sa mga jaywalkers mao na nga dili g’yod makat-on ang mga tawo,” pedestrian Lourdes Ungab told The FREEMAN.

Meanwhile, some members of SPEED admitted of being ineffective in their duties in clearing the streets of any obstacles, including pushcarts that serve as rolling stores or improvised stalls.

“Unsaon, sugoon man sab mi og trabaho nga dili na unta amo,” said a SPEED member, citing the case when they were ordered to remove the basketball boards installed by opposition leaders Jonathan Guardo and Mary Ann de los Santos.

It was observed that pedestrians prefer to walk on the road instead of using the sidewalks which have already been occupied for a long time by vendors. In their attempt to veer away from obstructions, pedestrians cause the flow of traffic to slow down; thereby, leading to congestion. — Rene U. Borromeo/MEEV   (FREEMAN NEWS)