During Christmas rush: Traffic group, cops on alert

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu City Transportation Office has deployed at least 400 enforcers to the streets to manage worsening traffic conditions as more and more people beat the Christmas rush in the next three days.

The traffic enforcers are working on three shifts – from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m., 2 p.m. to 10 p.m., and 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.

All cops are also on full alert.

The Traffic Patrol Group of the Cebu City Police Office is ready to respond to untoward incidents, even conflict, that may arise in the streets owing to hot tempers caused by heavy traffic, said Cebu City Police Director Royina Garma.

She called on motorists to be more patient and to always remember the solemnity of celebrating Christmas.

"Tanan gi-anticipate nato, and in case may mangyari prepared naman tayo kasi naka-adjust ang deployment natin," she said.

CCTO’s operations chief Francisco Ouano said the volume of vehicles here has doubled, even tripled at times.

“Nakita nato during peak hours, mo-heavy ang traffic, and then Christmas rush. Daghang sakyanan nagdagan sa atong siyudad,” he told reporters.

Ouano said peak hours are from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Among the busiest thoroughfares are Colon Street, Natalio Bacalso Avenue, M.J. Cuenco Avenue, Osmeña Boulevard, and Gorordo Avenue.

Many of the private vehicles also come from other neighboring cities, he said.

“Sa atong nakita, ni-times two or three kay nganhi sila nangumpra, ubay-ubay gyud. Dili madali-dali (man) kay traffic gyud bisag asa, entire Cebu guro,” Ouano said.

A resident of Barangay Pardo who asked not to be named told The FREEMAN it took her at least two hours to get to Colon Street in downtown Cebu City. Before that, she had to wait for a ride for an hour.

“One hour ko nag-atang og jeep sa eskina sa amo kay puno-puno gyud ang mga sakynan tungod siguro sa katraffic naglisod sila pabalik,” she said.

And she isn’t optimistic the traffic condition will mellow down anytime soon, considering the entry of the Sinulog season immediately after New Year.

“Grabe uy, lupig pa ang pag-Sinulog aning trapika. Samot ni ka-traffic kay naa baya’y underpass sad nga construction, nisamot gyud,” she said.

Earlier this month, CCTO implemented a no-day off and no-leave policy among its personnel to ensure the streets will be manned during the holidays.

Barangays were also urged to deploy tanods to assist the police in the aspect of security.

Councilor David Tumulak, chairman of the City Council’s committee on public order and safety, said tanods should monitor the streets and rid it of carolers, especially those who hop on and allegedly threaten passengers of public utility vehicles.

“Atong gi-remind ang atong mga barangay tanods and kapulisan nga magbinantayon niining bag-ong modus sa atoang mga batan-on nga kunuhay manaygon sila sa PUJ (Public Utility Jeepney), unya mangayo og pinaskohan, dala inisog, dala pagpanghadlok, malisang ang atong mga pasahero,” he said.

He has observed a high concentration of carolers in the South District, particularly in Barangays Basak and Mambaling.

“Ato silang gihangyo nga badlungon kay makamugna og kahadlok sa pasahero. Alang sa mga tawo, ayaw kumpyansa ug dili magdala-dala og alahas para sa paglikay kawat,” he said.

He discouraged commuters from giving anything to carolers. Doing so is a violation of City Ordinance 1631 or the Anti-Mendicancy Ordinance which “prohibits and penalizes the giving to and soliciting by mendicants of cash or material goods in public places, buildings and offices, as well as in any business or commercial establishment.”

Those who violate the ordinance may be fined P300 and be required to render community service.

Tumulak said the Anti-Mendicancy team will patrol the streets to make sure the ordinance is being followed.

“Naa man ta’y ordinance nga gidili ang paghatag kay sama ra na sa pagpakilimos so ang ordinance naghatag og silot sa mohatag. Ang mga pasahero, ayaw nalang gyud (og hatag) para masiguro nga wala’y mahitabo,” Tumulak said.

The police will also monitor churches amid reports of recent attacks by communist rebels.

Garma said the public must always be vigilant, security-wise, as unscrupulous individuals may take advantage of the holiday season. Mae Clydyl L. Avila /JMO