CITOM gets boom trucks for clearing sidewalks

CEBU, Philippines - The city government has purchased two boom trucks to augment operations of the City Traffic Operations Management (CITOM) in clearing the city’s sidewalks of vendors.

CITOM Chairman Sylvan Jakosalem said the brand new trucks will be delivered to the CITOM headquarters today. Jakosalem himself was the one who asked to purchase the trucks when he was still city councilor.

He said clearing operations will become easier with the boom trucks because loading heavy articles would be easier. CITOM will prioritize streets whose sidewalks have become congested with vendors. Examples of these are Salinas Drive and Archbishop Reyes Avenue. Congested sidewalks along these streets have forced pedestrians to use the main road itself, which exposes them to safety risks.

Jakosalem assured that CITOM will observe due process, which will start with a written warning to the vendors. If the vendors ignore the warning, CITOM personnel will proceed with the clearing operation. — (FREEMAN)