Mandaue traffic still a challenge

CEBU, Philippines – Increasing traffic volume coupled with the ongoing road widening and concreting projects is seen to make public and private commuting a challenge in Mandaue City this Christmas.

This is despite the efforts made by the local government to speed up the completion of road infrastructure works in the city.

Mayor Jonas Cortes has asked the Department of Public Works and Highways in Cebu's sixth district to furnish his office the list of projects for implementation next year.

According to Mayor Cortes, while the DPWH has its road concreting and widening projects, the city government also has its own projects to be implemented in 2015.

Cortes said the reason of the traffic problem this year was the ongoing projects implemented by DPWH.

The mayor cited an example of the ongoing projects on A.S. Fortuna Street in Barangay Bakilid which is the main road of the city going to Cebu City through Barangay Banilad.

Another ongoing project also implemented by DPWH is on Manuel L. Quezon Avenue in Barangay Maguikay, which is yet another road leading to Cebu City through Barangay Cabancalan.

"Nagdunganay man gud kining mga proyekto karon sa DPWH mao nga nahasol gyud ang katawhan pero kon mahuman na kini nga proyekto, dako usab kini nga tabang sa Mandaue," Cortes said.

Cortes said the personnel of the Traffic Enforcement and Management are trying their best to address the traffic congestion problem in the city.

In Lapu-Lapu City, Mayor Paz Radaza called the attention of the DPWH for the delayed implementation of road concreting projects on Maximo V. Patalinghug Avenue.

Radaza said the contractor should fast-track the implementation of the project so that normal traffic will be restored if not by the end of this year, then by opening of next year.