Council committee: We can't suspend operative ordinance

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu City Council’s committee on traffic management yesterday opined that postponing or suspending the implementation of City Ordinance 1837, which bans public utility jeepneys from the main thoroughfares of Cebu City, is unfair.

The committee headed by Councilor Richard “Ritchie” Osmeña explained that if the implementation of the ordinance will be postponed as requested by a Mandaue City councilor while the ordinance is still operative, those who will grant it may be accused of dereliction of duty.

“Besides, to postpone the implementation of an operative ordinance may be unfair to the inhabitants of the City of Cebu who may be affected by it and whose concerns the ordinance may have certainly sought to achieve,” Osmeña said.

It was Mandaue City Councilor Elstone Dabon who sent a personal communication addressed to City Traffic Operations Management Board chairman Sylvan “Jack” Jakosalem requesting the suspension of the implementation of City Ordinance 1837.

Since CITOM has no authority to decide whether or not to approve Dabon’s request, CITOM head Rafael Yap referred the matter to the Cebu City Council, who in turn, endorsed it to the traffic management committee for review and comment.

But aside from Dabon’s letter, the Mandaue City Council also passed a resolution asking its counterpart in Cebu City to reconsider the plight of passengers of Cebu City and Mandaue City whose only means of transportation are the PUJs.

Cebu City legislators yesterday referred the matter to the CITOM Board for its recommendation although its suggestion will still be subject to review by the city council. (FREEMAN)