Holiday traffic worsens as Christmas nears

Traffic is at a standstill on Kaohsiung Street, North Reclamation Area near SM City Cebu during rush hours as thousands of people flood the mall to do their last minute Christmas shopping.

PLAN your trips ahead or better yet stay at home.

The Cebu City Transportation Office (CCTO) on Friday warned motorists of heavier traffic as Christmas Day draws near.

“If possible, I advise people to just leave their cars at home because it would only add to the traffic congestion,” said Sidney Racaza, base control operator of the CCTO, in Cebuano.

“If they do go out to buy something, they should do it collectively. As much as possible, do it in the morning when traffic isn’t as bad yet,” he added.
But the best remedy to the traffic congestion for now, he said, is for people to stay in their respective homes.

“If you are not up to something very important, please stay at home,” he said.

Traffic congestion was heavy near malls and other establishments located at the North Reclamation Area, Archbishop Reyes Avenue, General Maxilom Avenue, Gorordo Avenue and Escario Street particularly during the afternoon rush hours, Friday.

Racaza said traffic in downtown Cebu City, on the other hand, was moderate.

“Based on previous experiences, traffic congestion is expected to be heavy in the morning of December 23. In the afternoon, people go home to their respective localities,” he said.

Chief Supt. Jose Mario Espino, director of the Police Regional Office in Central Visayas (PRO-7), ordered policemen to help control and direct traffic especially in cities during Christmas rush hours.

Even if several police officers are on Christmas break, Espino said the number of policemen on duty will be enough to secure the entire region.

Security measures have been tightened in churches, malls, markets, and other public places where huge crowds are expected to converge.