Mike leaves decision to Citom

CEBU, Philippines - Mayor Michael Rama gave the Cebu City Traffic Operations Management (CITOM) Board the authority to decide whether or not to grant the request of Mandaue City PUJ drivers that they be allowed to ply the uptown and downtown areas of Cebu Cty.

Rama said the request of the members of the 21-B Mandaue Night Driver's and Operators Association headed by one Leonides Tapilot that they be allowed to enter  Gen. Maxilom Ave. to Fuente Osmeña down to Plaza Independencia during nighttime should be thoroughly evaluated as other drivers group may also ask  for a similar consideration.

"Kinahanglan gyud nga tun-an na og maayo kay basin og mohangyo na 'sab kadtong ubang drayber dili na 'sab unya mapugngan," Rama told The Freeman.

Rama said if the CITOM Board headed by Ruben Almendras gives a favorable recommendation to the request, there is a need to amend the existing City Ordinance 1837 which was enacted in 1990 purposely to decongest the city streets of vehicles.

It provides that those public utility vehicles plying outside the city shall no longer be allowed to ply the city streets and are only allowed up to the accredited terminals.

When the City Traffic Operations Management (CITOM) strictly implemented the ordinance, 21-B PUJs are allowed only up to the terminal in Cebu Business Park.

In his letter addressed to the mayor and Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella, Tapilot said they would be happy if the city government officials would allow them to ply Colon Street from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. the following day.

There are about 100 21-B PUJ, but only about 30 are operating at night. (FREEMAN)