Talisay City mayor amenable to Cebu City's motorcycle ban

CEBU, Philippines - Talisay City Mayor Johnny De los Reyes said he will not object to the Cebu City government's plan to ban motorcycles from plying through the South Road Properties, but only if this is on experimental basis.

The other end of the 12-kilometer four-lane SRP highway, from Cebu City, is Talisay City.

The motorcycle ban is part of Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama's effort to lessen the number of vehicular accidents in this highway. Data from the Cebu City Traffic Operations Management showed that a total of 1,617 vehicular accidents occurred at the SRP from 2008 to 2014.

De los Reyes said that if Rama "is planning to ban motorcycles, let us see if this is an experimental scheme first before imposing a total ban.

While admitting that the number of vehicular accidents at SRP is alarming already, De los Reyes said this may be addressed by preventing motorcycles from using this coastal road.

The Talisay mayor, however, proposed that only on certain hours will be ban be strictly carried out, and that there should be a designated lane exclusive for motorcycles in the SRP.

The Cebu City government also, since last week, enforced a 30-kilometer per hour speed limit and requiring vehicles to maintain a two-car distance from each other. Rama also required the installation of rumble stripes, reflectorized road markings and flashing "caution" lights.

Land Transportation Office-7 Director Arnel Tancinco urged the Cebu City government to look for other alternatives in attaining solutions to the rising number of accidents among motorcycles at the SRP, but he said banning these vehicles from this highway may not be the solution. —RAE (FREEMAN)