PB approves body for traffic concerns

CEBU, Philippines —  The Cebu Provincial Board has approved an ordinance that will create an inter-agency council for traffic (I-ACT).

The council will serve as a coordinating body that will streamline the traffic management policies of the 51 local government units under Cebu Province.

Recognizing that traffic congestion is a shared problem, the I-ACT will also open its doors to organizations and autonomous local government units in Cebu that want to be part of the council.

“It is now high time for the Province of Cebu to establish a coordinative implementing and advisory body composed of essential various line agencies in government tasked with enforcement of traffic rules and regulations,” the ordinance states.

The body will only have recommendatory powers and local government units will have the final say on the implementation of traffic schemes.

The council’s other functions include reviewing traffic plans and regulations, leading the formation of an inter-local government unit (inter-LGU) traffic policy that is applicable throughout the province, coordinating for synchronized enforcement, monitoring and assisting LGUs during special occasions such as fiestas, conducting assessment/study on the overall traffic situation, and conducting training on traffic management.

The ordinance reads that the P1.1 billion daily economic losses in Cebu due to traffic is “unbearable” and thus there is a need to act now while waiting for the big ticket infrastructure projects seen to alleviate the traffic congestion.

Provincial focal person for traffic, Jonathan “Joy” Tumulak, said Cebu is the first province in the country to form an advisory body for traffic management.

There are at least 20 permanent members of the body that will meet at least once a month: the governor and lead national agencies such as the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Land Transportation Office (LTO), Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), and Department of Transportation (DOTr).

The Cebu Highway Patrol Group, Archdiocese of Cebu, Cebu Chamber of Commerce, and Metro Cebu Development and Coordinating Board (MCDCB) are also included.

Tumulak said they target for the council to be functional in time for the Christmas season.—  JMO  (FREEMAN)