Rama creates Ban-Tal traffic body

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama has signed an executive order creating the Banilad-Talamban Traffic Management group and specifying the functions of its members last Monday.

It came three days after the July 4 meeting with affected stakeholders in the Ban-Tal corridor, 18 were appointed on the spot to serve as members of the group, which is tasked to help in addressing traffic situation in the area.

Rama heads the body, with businessman Bunny Pages as co-chairman, while its members are lawyer Rafael Yap; Wilson Go; Roger Quibilan; Dennis Japonero; lawyer Jose Marie Poblete; Cebu City Police Office Director Noli Romana ; Banilad Barangay Captain Nicolas Leyson Jr.; Dario Arcilla, Ryan Tante;  Jun Lim; Sergio Lim Jr.; Peter Rabaya; Malou Inocando Tabar; lawyer Mark Anthony Gaviola; and Narciso Solon.

The Ban-Tal corridor of Cebu City is defined as the roadway between Asilo de Milagrosa Church, Gorordo Avenue through Governor M.J. Cuenco Avenue until the junction fronting the Barangay Talamban gym.

The area is identified as one of the city’s “busiest commercial, educational and residential area.”

According to the executive order, the body should “coordinate with transport and traffic authorities of other government agencies involved in transport and management and control; implement and monitor, in coordination with the traffic authorities and other government agencies, the maintenance of the designated sidewalk parameters in accordance with the Schedule of Road Details delineated in Cebu City Ordinance No. 1656.”

The body should also, “with the direction and supervision of the traffic authorities and other government agencies, demolish, remove and confiscate structures and contraptions declared public nuisances and nuisance per se under Cebu City Ordinance No. 1481.”

“Such structures and contraptions shall include but not limited to utility and electric posts, metal signages, commercial or household implements, construction materials, vendor stalls, and/or garbage,” it added.

Another function of the body is to “identify and assess problematic sectors of the Ban-Tal corridor; review and recommend traffic engineering and management schemes subject to the approval of the Cebu City Traffic Operations Management Board and the Office of the Mayor.”

The body is to meet at least once a month. —  (FREEMAN)