CEBU, Philippines — Heavy traffic that lasted for up to 11 hours was experienced at the Cebu – South Coastal Road since early morning yesterday following an accident that involved two trucks.
One of the vehicles, a trailer truck with plate number GUK 140, fell on its side and spewed the cement it was carrying on the road. It also managed to block the southbound lane of the road.
Cebu City Transportation Office (CCTO) head Francisco Ouano said the southbound lane was not passable by 5 a.m.
“Pag alas singko, ang among gibuhat, dili man gyud maagian going south, naa ta’y portion gibira gamay nga ma-passable ang one lane sa south,” he said.
Nagiel Bañacia, head of the city’s disaster team, said the accident occurred after the trailer truck and a trailer van reportedly tried to outrun each other in entering the viaduct.
The two trucks were heading north.
“Naglumba-anay na ang duha ka trucks. Kining coastal road is three lanes. Pag-abot nila sa viaduct, two lanes nalang, so nag-iloganay sila pagsulod sa bridge kay maklaro man, naay sketch mark. Nisaka ang iyahang truck, kusog ang dagan… pagsaka, natumba so nakatag ang cement,” Bañacia said.
Bañacia said it took at least nine hours for AYL Trucking, the company that owns the trailer truck, to respond to the area.
This delay caused heavy traffic at the South Road Properties (SRP).
“It’s not just Cebu City but also Talisay, Mandaue, the whole Metro Cebu. Kung tan-awon nimo ang damage, daghan kayo. Pila kaha ka tawo ang na-late rong adlawa? Pila kaha ka taw ang wala kaabot sa ilahang flight?” Bañacia said.
The trailer truck was pulled out of the area only at 3:45 p.m.
Ouano said the city has impounded two vehicles upon orders of Mayor Tomas Osmeña.
“I-impound namo ang trucks for 30 days kay mao man ang ingon ni mayor…Yes, effective today (yesterday),” he said.
City Ordinance 801 or the Traffic Code of Cebu City requires motorists to observe the 40 kilometer-per-hour speed.
Article 7 Section 2 of the ordinance provides that vehicles passing highways and streets without blind corners are only allowed a maximum speed of 40 kph.
CCTO will put up more traffic signages at the SRP so that drivers will be reminded of the speed in which they are allowed to travel.
Bañacia said he will recommend to the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) - 7 to send the franchise of AYL Trucking for abandoning its responsibility.
“Kung sa amoa lang nga bahin, ang akoang recommendation, i-suspend ang franchise sa AYL trucking kay iresponsable; wala sila’y gihimo,” he said.
Ouano agreed.
LTFRB-7 Director Ahmed Cuizon said they will look into Bañacia’s proposal.
"If warranted, we will not hesitate to sanction the operator involved," Cuizon said, adding, "So, a sanction on the operator will serve as a warning on other franchise holders to observe due diligence as regards their operations." (FREEMAN)