Mayor admits situation is “horrible”: Rama, Garcia as traffic czars

CEBU, Philippines — Mayor Michael Rama will now personally handle the traffic situation in Cebu City’s north district while Vice Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia will take charge of that in the south district.

This developed following the resignation of City Councilor Rey Gealon as chairman of the city’s Traffic Management and Coordination Committee (TMCC).

Declining to discuss Gealon’s resignation, Rama yesterday said he had already tapped Garcia, along with City Councilor Jocelyn Pesquera, to take care of the whole traffic situation of the south district.

He revealed this during an interview with the Cebu City Government’s Sugboanon Channel during its “Ingna’ng Mayor” segment.

Rama said he would take care of the north, and specifically mentioned the Banilad-Talamban area, particularly Archbishop Reyes Ave. to Brgy. Pit-os, and the portion of Gorordo Ave. by the Colegio dela Inmaculada Conception school.

“Ang kinabuhi nako sa wala pa ko masulod sa public service, traffic enforcer na ko,” he said.

Rama, however, made it clear that he would not be serving as TMCC chairman, as he would rather be on the streets. Besides, he said, there is no need for him to do so since he already established the foundation for it to function without him.

He, however, said that he need City Councilor James Anthony Cuenco, City Council committee on transportation chairman, to author an ordinance to legislate his planned interventions.

He admitted that the current traffic situation in the city is “horrible” but added that it is not difficult to solve.

“Dili gyud na siya lisod sulbaron,” the mayor said.

Among the solutions he thought of was the conversion of a few Cebu Provincial Government’s properties in Cebu City, like those in barangays Apas and Lahug, into roads to complement existing road networks and help ease traffic flow.

He also appealed for malls to cooperate and open the road networks within their premises.

“Unsa may buot nako ipasabot? Ayaw mo og exclusive, bring all of your road networks to be part of the solution to the horrific traffic,” Rama said.

He also said that businesses and places like the Cebu Country Club in Brgy. Kasambagan could also open their properties near major roads to provide arterial routes.

He said the Cebu Country Club could be converted into a business district that would have wide roads that can provide alternative routes along the Banilad-Talamban area.

The roads, he said, could even connect with F. Cabahug St. in Panagdait and with Hernan Cortes Ave. in Mandaue City. — /RHM (FREEMAN)