Citom has no power over IT Park road

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu City Traffic Operations Management cannot enforce traffic laws along Geonzon Street in Barangay Apas since it is neither a city nor a national road.

In a statement, Citom Executive Director Rafael Yap said the city has no jurisdiction over the said thoroughfare because it is owned by private company Cebu Property Ventures and Development (CPVDC), as reflected in the tax declaration at the Office of the City Assessor.

 Lawyer Jeanette Japzon, corporate communications manager of Cebu Holdings Inc., earlier said the street is duly titled under CPVDC, contrary to the Apas resolution naming W. Geonzon Street as a public road.

The resolution also cited the declaration of the Department of Finance Local Board of Assessment Appeals last June 2007 that the street is exempted from payment of real property taxes since 2006.

Yap said Geonzon Street, which is situated at  the IT Park, is currently designated as travel route for public utility jeepneys to and from Apas, as provided for under City Ordinance No. 2000 (Travel Line Ordinance).

Yap said Geonzon Street is not included in the list of city and national roads under City Ordinance 1360 (Revised Road Details for Cebu City).

“Citom cannot regulate, enforce or implement traffic laws inside the premises of IT Park,” he said.

City Councilors Alvin Dizon, Hanz Abella, and Sisinio Andales have proposed a resolution declaring Geonzon Street as a public road.  (FREEMAN)