Traffic impact study requirement for developers proposal welcomed
Southbound vehicles are caught in a traffic gridlock during the repair of the Tabunok flyover in June 2017. The Capitol is crafting an ordinance involving requirements for developers that can help ease traffic in the province. CDN FILE PHOTO
A TOP official of a homegrown property company has welcomed the Capitol’s plan to require developers to provide a Traffic Impact Assessment (TIA) before they can build their projects in Cebu province
“That’s a very sound proposition which I personally agree that developers should be required a full (traffic) study before being granted development permits,” said Jose Soberano III, Cebu Landmasters Inc. (CLI) president and chief executive officer (CEO), in a phone interview on Sunday.
“Especially now with our traffic situation. We have to really make a full study before doing projects. How much you’re providing as parking space? How much you’re providing in taxes?” Soberano said.
He said that only Mandaue City had been strictly implementing this rule which required a TIA for developers before they could push through with their projects.
Davao City also requires this.
He said Cebu City also had provisions related to this, but it is not as strict and is not compulsory.
CLI has developments within Cebu province particularly in Talisay City, Naga City, San Fernando, Minglanilla and Mactan Island.
Jonathan Tumulak, Capitol’s traffic management focal person, for his part, said that the proposed ordinance was a way to address the traffic problem that had become a dilemma for motorists in the province with the rise of new establishments.
Tumulak was referring to the proposed ordinance sponsored by Provincial Board Member Edsel Galeos that will require developers to provide a Traffic Impact Assessment (TIA) before they will be given clearance to construct structures in the province.
A (TIA) shall constitute a comprehensive analysis on the effects of building establishments to the traffic situations in the immediate area, and how the business owner will help in mitigating the problem, said Tumulak.
Tumulak said that by submitting a TIA, the business owner and the local traffic management office will have a heads up in finding ways to minimize the effect on motorists.
The TIA will be one of the requirements for developers to secure their zoning clearance.
A zoning clearance is needed to asses if the development projects are suitable for the community where they will rise.
Tumulak said that they cannot compromise the traffic management of Cebu roads with the projected booming of Cebu in the enterprise industry.
Tumulak added that giving priority to mitigate traffic problems is a way to lessen the reported economic loss of Cebu due to traffic congestion.
Japan International Cooperation Agency reported recently that Cebu’s economic loss due to the prevailing traffic problems amounts up to P1.1 billion a day.
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