Traffic starts to build in one of the Cebu City streets in this Dec. 17, 2016 photo. (CDN PHOTO/TONEE DESPOJO).
With more new vehicles on the road, business leaders cite traffic solutions to avoid losses
While the increasing number of cars or vehicles sold every year indicates positive economic growth, a business group leader is encouraging the government to regulate vehicle ownership, build more infrastructure and spread development across Cebu to avoid more losses brought about by worsening traffic congestion.
In an interview, Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Glenn Anthony Soco said that Cebu could follow the model used by Singapore to control the number of vehicles running on the road and build more mass transportation facilities; thus avoiding traffic congestion.
“In Singapore, they have to have a certificate before they can purchase a car, and there are requirements that you have to comply with to get the certificate. Here, however, anyone can just buy a car, and at the rate that it’s growing now, there’s not enough infrastructure, roads to build to be able to accommodate all these cars,” said Soco.
He said the government should also regulate the cars allowed to ply the roads in terms of the number of years, as old and badly maintained vehicles, when they would break down, would also cause traffic.
Soco’s reaction came after learning about the increased volume of newly registered vehicles at the Land Transportation Office in Central Visayas (LTO-7) this year as compared to last year’s figures.
LTO-7 chief, data
LTO-7 Director Aleta Pulga told Cebu Daily News in separate interview that the extended paying schemes by the car companies were among the reasons for the increase in volume of newly registered cars.
“Before, you can completely pay for three years. Now you can pay for five years with a down payment for as low as P9,000,” she told CDN.
She said it is now necessary to buy new cars because some are not comfortable with taking public transportation.
Schools may be closed for the holiday season but traffic is still heavy in Escario Street (above) and Osmeña Boulevard to downtown Colon street (below). But Cebu business leaders like Philip Tan, Alan Gordon Joseph and Melanie Ng call on Cebu residents to stay positive. (CDN PHOTO/JUNJIE MENDOZA)
Newly registered cars
LTO-7’s January to November 2016 data showed an 11,120 increase of newly registered vehicles as compared to last year’s figures.
According to LTO 7, their office registered 152,476 newly registered vehicles for the 11-month period this year as compared to 141,356 newly registered vehicles in the same period last year.
Pulga, however, said the the increased volume had not totally contributed too much to the traffic in Metro Cebu.
Pulga said that not all vehicles registered in district and extension offices here are running in Metro Cebu.
She said some might be running in other provinces like Siquijor, Bohol and Negros.
“There are just some buyers who prefer to buy in Cebu because there are more options and dealers,” Pulga said.
Renewed registrations
Although the number of newly registered vehicles increased this year, the LTO-7 recorded a decrease of renewed vehicle registrations this year.
From 388,791 in January to November 2015, LTO-7 was able to record 371,463 renewed vehicle registrations from January to November this 2016.
Last 2015, Mandaue City District Office recorded the most number of renewed vehicle registrations with 92,308 followed by Talisay City extension office with 82,618 vehicle registrations.
This year, Talisay City extension office got the highest number of renewed vehicle registrations in Cebu with 82,838.
Mandaue City District Office is next with 69,091, followed by Cebu City with 51,586.
“That is the option of the registrant on where is the nearest or convenient (LTO office). We cannot question their options,” she said.
She said any owner can register his or her vehicle anywhere as long as he or she submits his or her complete requirements.
She also said that there is also no law stopping consumers from buying new vehicles. (To be concluded)