Task Force sought to watch flyovers

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu City Council has sought the creation of a task force that will be responsible for the maintenance of the open spaces below the city’s flyovers.

The council, in a resolution authored by Councilor Rey Gealon, urged the Office of the Mayor to create the task force. The resolution was unanimously approved during the council’s regular session last week, October 9.

Gealon observed that some of the open spaces below the flyovers in the city are not only posing danger to motorists passing by the area but also to the people making use of the space.

“Additionally, it can choke the roads and create bottlenecks, resulting in traffic congestion,” said Gealon.

He added that the people using the space under the flyovers are at “great risk” given that such a portion of the road is unsafe and not conducive for living.

In another resolution to oversee the city’s flyovers, the council also requested the Department of Public Works and Highways (DWPH) to improve the gutters serving as vehicle separators leading to and from the flyovers.

According to Gealon, this is parallel to upholding the city’s responsibility in ensuring traffic safety. He added that all road infrastructures such as flyovers and their entry and exit points must be well-designed and maintained to prevent accidents.

Gealon has observed that the current designs of the gutters are causing confusion and potential safety risk for motorists because these are not elevated enough to effectively guide and separate vehicles.

“Elevating these gutters will help clearly define lanes, improve traffic flow, and reduce the likelihood of collisions, thereby enhancing road safety for all users,” said Gealon.

Meanwhile, the council has also urged the Office of the Mayor to issue an executive order to stimulate the EV (electric vehicle) market. The EO is to support the transition to emerging technologies, reduce the transport system's reliance on fossil fuels, and reduce gas emissions attributed to road transport.

According to Gealon, the EV will help “reduce carbon emissions, enhance air quality, and promote the use of renewable energy.”

He added that EVs are also more efficient, and that combined with the electricity cost means that charging an electric vehicle is cheaper than filling a car with fuel.

On the same premise, the council approved Gealon’s resolution to request the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to craft guidelines in support of the Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act (EVIDA).

This is after assessing that there is a need for regulatory frameworks and guidelines that will encourage the transition to electric vehicles in the public and private transport sectors, including clear regulations on franchise issuance, fare structuring, and operational incentives for EV adoption. –/FPL (FREEMAN)