Green Loop traffic dry run set Sept. 28

CEBU, Philippines - To determine how feasible the "Green Loop" approach is in Metro Cebu, a traffic dry run along four major thoroughfares is set for September 28, Sunday.

City Traffic Operations Management executive director Rafael Yap said the pilot loop routes will include General Maxilom Avenue, Gorordo Avenue, Escario Street and Osmeña Boulevard.

In a consultation meeting yesterday, Yap, who was in-charge of traffic, expressed confidence over the Green Loop, a road sharing experiment to be launched this month, saying it would not worsen the city's traffic problem and would rather serve as a traffic mitigation factor to decongest minor and major thoroughfares.

He said the experiment will be subjected to a thorough assessment in line with social impacts and once the recommendations are favorable, the proposed scheme will then be institutionalized. Also, it will be replicated to other streets in the city and to other neighboring cities and provinces.

"It would be on a Sunday, so we don't expect any significant congestion to occur kay dili man na busy ang Mango on a Sunday. Will try it for one day, after the event, I hope we'll do an assessment on the scheme and see if what the feedbacks are and what are the things, if any, that need to be adjusted," said Yap.

Under the scheme, Yap explained, motorized and non-motorized vehicles will be dedicated one lane each to utilize, as designed by the University of San Carlos College of Architecture and Fine Arts.

The lane immediately beside the center island is designated to be occupied by motorized vehicles while the outer lane, beside the sidewalk, is for bikes and pedestrians who wish to walk.

Under non-motorized are bicycles, as well as pedestrians, which can freely ply the assigned road without competing with motorized vehicles, thereby erasing risks of accidents.

Mayor Michael Rama earlier said he has no problem with the road sharing scheme, but advised the proponents who are Cebuano environmentalists, academe and civic organizations, to dwell on the "micro plan and test the terrain beforehand."

City Administrator Dr. Lucelle Mercado said the proposal will make Cebu "alive" and "festive" because people will be encouraged to walk every Sunday.

The proposal, she said, will not only address the traffic problem in the city but may also change the perspective and attitude of the constituents towards "health, people and livelihood."

"This serves a paradigm shift. At least, those motorists will not always think that they are the kings of the road. They will now learn how to share the road with our cyclists and pedestrians," she said.

Mercado noted though that the proposed traffic scheme may bring "inconvenience" to some. The city administrator is appealing to the public to just cooperate.

The key point persons of the project are Marc Canton of the Movement for a Livable Cebu, Architect Joseph Michael "Yumi" Espina and Architect Socorro Atega of the City Parks and Playground Commission, Cebu Chambers of Commerce and Industry president Maria Teresa Chan, Environmental lawyer Atty. Tara Rama, and the technical working group.

Another meeting is scheduled for Sept. 18 in which the core group and the city officials will discuss and finalize the implementation of the traffic test run. — (FREEMAN)