CEBU, Philippines - Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama is planning to ban motorcycles from passing through the South Road Properties after the reported increase of vehicular accidents in the area.
"The fact that there were accidents that have not been completely addressed it's high time that motorcycles will not be allowed to pass the area kay kuyaw na for small vehicles," he said.
Based on data from the City Traffic Operations Management, 1,617 vehicular accidents occurred at the SRP from 2008 to 2014.
Of the 1,617 cases, the highest number of vehicular accidents was recorded in 2013 with 280 cases followed by 2012 (272), 2011 (256), 2014 (245), 2008 (212), 2010 (199) and 2009 (153). A total of 592 of these accidents involved motorcycles where nine people died.
The mayor said the number of vehicular accidents is already alarming and this needs to be addressed by preventing motorcycles from using the coastal road.
Over the phone, the mayor relayed this pressing concern to Department of Public Works and Highways Secretary Rogelio Singson yesterday, but, the secretary reportedly told him he is leaving the issue first to the local government.
"I wish we could just stop them (motorcycle drivers) from entering the SRP. Since I already have an open line with the secretary, who is concerned and sensitive over the issue, I will not stop until we address this long overdue concern," he said.
Rama has already implemented several traffic measures to lessen if not eliminate vehicular accidents in the area since last week, such as the implementation of a 30-kilometer per hour speed limit and requiring vehicles to maintain a two-car distance from each other. He also required the installation of rumble stripes, reflectorized road markings, and flashing "caution" lights.
The mayor said he will be meeting with the officials of City Traffic Operations Management and Land Transportation Office to lay down his plan.
"There's got to be a united matter diha with directive also coming from LTO. I brought this already to Sec. Singson but we have to discuss first at our level," he said.
Another solution
In a separate interview, the Land Transportation Office-7 Director Arnel Tancinco urged the Cebu City government to look for other alternatives in attaining solutions concerning the increasing number of accidents among motorcycles vehicles.
Tancinco said preventing motorcycles from passing through the South Road Properties is not the solution.
"It is not an absolute solution to ban motorcycles, they can look for other alternatives," he said.
"I believe dili ma-prevent ang accident, no place is accident-free," he added.
Tancinco said although the mayor has the authority to regulate the use of streets in the city, he believes his power as local chief has certain limitations.
He also added that banning motorcycle users will only lead to another problem.
"Unya asa man sila pa-agion? Dili man sad hinuon ta ka-ingon nga sayop o dili ilang plano pero tan-awn nato unsa ilang scheme or plan," he said.
"Their aim should not be to prevent the use of motorcycles, their aim is to prevent accident," he further said, citing that the motorcycle is a vital mode of transportation for many people.
He said they had a talk with CITOM operations chief Jonathan Tumulak, regarding the problem of overspeeding motorcycles.
"Tan-awa sa statistics sa accidents ang percentage sa N. Bacalso ug SRP, parehas ra, though sa SRP kay mas daghan na-involve nga motorcycles," he said.
Tancinco also said the government officials should look into a thorough traffic plan.
"It may be effective at the point of view of the mayor but for me it's not. They have to explain and justify based on their statistics and details…look for alternatives," he said.
He instead suggested putting up warning signs along the national road and assigning some personnel at the entrance and exit of SRP. — /BRP (FREEMAN)