LTO should help solve SRP motorcycle problem – Rama

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama was displeased by the Land Transportation Office’s opposition to his plan to ban motorcycles from the South Road Properties.

Rama wants to enforce the ban to curb the alarming increase of vehicular accidents in the area.

LTO-7 Director Arnel Tancinco said, however, that the plan is not an effective solution and would only contribute to the worsening traffic situation there. What the city needs to do, he said, is to re-examine its traffic plan, statistics and details to come up with an “absolute” solution.

But Rama said LTO, a national agency, should not only put the responsibility on the local government unit but also help in finding doable solutions. 

“SRP is a national road therefore LTO and LTFRB have the power to address this concern. LTO indiscriminately issuing franchises and LTFRB license…mao nga motabang sila,” Rama said yesterday, insisting that a ban would be an effective step.

“The mayor knows what’s his talking. I will continue to stand, as the mayor, I have that responsibility that carries an obligation and the power emanating from the constitution but I cannot execute my responsibility (without some help from the national agencies),” he said.

“Kun i-allow nato ang mga motorcycles, suyopon sa mga kasakyan nga tupad tungod sa kakusog pa dagan. Whoever these people from LTO, they should study physics - the aerodynamics and the Boyle’s law para makasabot sila ngano,” he added.

With the 592 accidents involving motorcycles in which nine people died, city lawyer Gerone Castillo said Rama can put the measure in place if only to abate a “crisis situation.”

He cited Section 21 (c) of the Local Government Code which says, “any national or local road, alley, park, or square may be temporarily closed during an actual emergency…” — (FREEMAN)