Establishments in Busay to hire private traffic personnel to address traffic jams

Heavy traffic like this one, which was reported along the Cebu City-bound lane of the Transcentral Highway last Sunday evening in Barangay Busay, Cebu City is expected to never happen again after business establishments in said barangay agreed to hire their own traffic personnel. | Photo courtesy of Councilor Joel Garganera

CEBU CITY, Philipines — The establishments in Barangay Busay, Cebu City, pointed to be the cause why the generally peaceful barangay was jammed with traffic last December 13, 2020, have taken the initiative to hire private traffic personnel to avoid a repeat of last Sunday’s incident.

The Emergency Operations Center (EOC) said that Chixboy, Temple of Leah, Mountain View, and Humbahaven, have agreed to help the city government by ensuring that their guests are properly monitored from the street up to their establishment. 

The traffic incident in Busay served as a lesson for the establishments that although they are eager to invite tourists, customers, and guests, the limited capacity and health protocols must prevail

“They’ve come up with a plan where those that are similarly situated will coordinate and help each other in addressing traffic. Nag pool sila ug resources in hiring private traffic personnel to assist CCTO (Cebu City Transportation Office) and barangay tanods. They’re also providing handheld radios, signboards to assist the safety and security of the commuters and passengers,” said Councilor Joel Garganera, the deputy chief implementor of the EOC. 

The establishments vowed to the EOC to limit the guests visiting their establishments to reduce the number of people going to Busay, thereby reducing traffic jams as well.

Garganera said that it has become more difficult in the past days as people are overeager to visit these establishments after a long strict quarantine. Social media has amplified them causing more people to flock to these areas.

“It’s funny because they’re trying to drive their customers away because they’re afraid that they will not be able to comply with the minimum health protocols. Having a good social media advertisement is sometimes a nightmare to these establishments,” said the councilor.

As for the EOC, Garganera said they will help assist the establishments in maintaining the health protocols by guiding them through the process.

The councilor hopes that the public would also make the incident a learning experience to be more circumspect in their travels and avoid crowded places as these are highly risky for the spread of the coronavirus. /rcg